[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] Sweden has declared that it will not participate in the 2022 FIFA World Cup playoff (PO) against Russia. This is a stance opposing Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
On the 26th (local time), the Swedish Football Association announced on its website, "The association's board has decided that the men's national team will not play if they face Russia in the World Cup PO."
Karl-Erik Nilsson, chairman of the Swedish Football Association, stated, "Football exchanges have become impossible due to Russia's illegal and extremely unjust invasion of Ukraine," and added, "Therefore, we urge FIFA to cancel the PO matches involving Russia in March." He also said, "Regardless of FIFA's decision, we will not play against Russia."
The European qualifiers playoff for the Qatar World Cup involves 12 teams in total: 10 teams that finished second in their qualifying groups and 2 teams with the best UEFA Nations League records among other countries. They compete for 3 tickets to the finals. The teams are divided into groups of four, competing in semifinals and finals for one ticket each. Russia was scheduled to play Poland in the semifinal on the 24th. The winner of that match would face the winner of the Sweden-Czech Republic semifinal in the final.
After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Poland, Sweden, and the Czech Republic requested a change of venue, and Poland ultimately decided to boycott the match.
Additionally, Sweden expressed a unified stance that they would not participate in the match against Russia in the final regardless of the venue. Foreign media predict that the Czech Republic will follow Poland and Sweden's lead.
FIFA has yet to issue a clear position regarding Russia's participation in the World Cup PO matches.
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