Scotland’s World Cup play-off semi-final at home against Ukraine has been postponed to June 1.
The match was supposed to take place in March but was postponed due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
FIFA announced the new date on Thursday afternoon. The sport’s world governing body has also confirmed that the winners of this match will face Wales in Cardiff for a place in the final in Qatar on June 5.
Whoever qualifies will be in a final group alongside England, USA and Iran.
The new dates for the World Cup play-offs have led to the postponement of the matches concerned. Nations League matches to be held in June and September.
Wales’ game against Poland has been brought forward from June 3 to June 1, while their home game against the Netherlands has been pushed back two days to June 8.
The Dragons’ home game against Belgium has been pushed back a day to June 11 while the away game against the Netherlands has also been pushed back a day to June 14.
Scotland’s scheduled first Nations League game at home to Armenia has been moved from June 4 to June 8, while the home encounter with Ukraine will now take place on September 21 instead of June 7 .
Scotland’s fixtures against the Republic of Ireland on June 11 and Armenia on June 14 are unchanged, meaning Steve Clarke’s side could face up to five fixtures in the June window.
The home game against the Irish, originally scheduled for September 23, has been pushed back a day, as has the away game against Ukraine which is now scheduled for September 27.
The Republic will host Armenia on June 4 – when the Eastern Europeans were due to be away for Scotland and the Irish were to welcome Ukraine. The Republic of Ireland vs Ukraine match will now be played on June 8.
Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell welcomed confirmation of the revised schedule and said: “First of all, it will be great to be able to host Ukraine at Hampden Park in June.
“While naturally there will be two groups of competitive players who are committed to taking a step closer to qualifying for the World Cup, we also understand and appreciate the wider context in which the game will take place.
“We have been consistent throughout that postponing the initial encounter was the right and only thing to do and we look forward to welcoming Ukraine to Hampden Park in June.”
Clarke raised concerns last month about the possibility of playing six matches in June, if all the Nations League matches due to be played had then taken place alongside potentially two World Cup play-offs .
Statements from FIFA and UEFA praised the solidarity and cooperation involved in the reorganization of matches, which had involved both global and European governing bodies as well as eight national associations.
Scotland, Wales and Ukraine learn dates of rearranged World Cup play-offs
