DAMS. Because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, FIFA excluded Russia from the FIFA World Cup.
[Mis à jour le 1 mars 2022 à 09h54] Sports sanctions fall against Russia. After Spartak Moscow was disqualified from the Europa League by UEFA, FIFA expelled Russia from the FIFA World Cup. The Russians who were to face Poland in the play-offs of the next World Cup are disqualified by the organizer who announced the decision in a joint press release with UEFA. The Poles are automatically qualified for the next round of the play-offs where Robert Lewandowski’s teammates will face Sweden or the Czech Republic next March.
In the press release, UEFA and FIFA assure that “Football is fully united here and in full solidarity with everyone affected in Ukraine. The two presidents hope that the situation in Ukraine will improve significantly and quickly so that football can once again be a vector of unity and peace between peoples.” The Russian Football Federation was quick to react by denouncing a “discriminatory” sanction after the exclusion of its national team from the 2022 World Cup.
“The Russian Football Federation categorically disagrees with the decision of FIFA and UEFA to suspend all Russian teams from participating in international matches for an indefinite period. We believe that this decision is contrary to the norms and principles of the international competition, as well as the spirit of sport. It is clearly discriminatory and harms a large number of athletes, coaches, club and national team employees and, above all, millions of Russian and foreign fans, whose interests international sports organizations must protect in the first place. Such actions divide the world sports community, which has always adhered to the principles of equality, mutual respect and independence from policy. We reserve the right to challenge the decision of FIFA and UEFA in accordance with international sports law.”
Unlike Europe, the Africa zone cannot send teams directly to the World Cup. All nations will have to pass a 3rd round in the form of a home and away match. Here is the complete draw for the Africa zone play-offs for the 2022 World Cup, made this Saturday in Cameroon:
- Republic Democratic Republic of the Congo – Morocco
- Cameroon – Algeria
- Mali – Tunisia
- Egypt – Senegal
- Ghana – Nigeria
What is the draw for play-offs in Europe?
The draw for path A:
- Scotland – Ukraine
- Wales – Austria
The draw for path B
- Russia – Poland
- Sweden – Czech Republic
The draw for path C
- Italy – North Macedonia
- Portugal – Turkey
What is the play-off schedule?
After the draw and the separation of the twelve teams into three ways, the matches will be played next March. Here is the schedule:
Finals (Tuesday March 29)
- Track A
- Wales or Austria – Scotland or Ukraine (8:45 p.m.)
- Track B
- Poland – Sweden or Czech Republic (8:45 p.m.)
- C-track
- Portugal or Turkey – Italy or North Macedonia (8:45 p.m.)
Dates of dams in Africa
- Thursday, March 24
- Egypt – Senegal
- Friday, March 25
- Mali – Tunisia
- Ghana – Nigeria
- Cameroon – Algeria
- DR Congo – Morocco
- Tuesday, March 29
- Senegal – Egypt
- Nigeria – Ghana
- Tunisia – Mali
- Algeria – Cameroon
- Morocco – DR Congo