Poland is demanding to change the venue of the 2022 Qatar World Cup re-qualification because of the Russia-Ukraine war. More countries join their demand

Due to the Russia-Ukraine war, Poland is demanding a change of venue for the 2022 World Cup re-qualification for Qatar 2022 and is joined in its request by national teams from other countries.

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The re-qualification was planned to be played in Russia, but due to the war conflict that started early this morning, Poland stated to demand the change of venue.

More and more effects caused by the war that broke out early this morning are becoming known, and the most recent one directly affects the Qatar 2022 World Cup. 

What other countries are joining Poland in its request to change the venue of the 2022 Qatar World Cup re-qualification due to the Russia-Ukraine war?

The other two teams that have joined Poland's demand are Sweden and the Czech Republic; these three teams are part of the teams that complete Zone B of the World Cup Qualifiers to be played in Russia.

Therefore, these three national teams issued a joint statement on the issue to demand FIFA and UEFA to repudiate Russia's actions and its refusal to play the reclassification in that country. 

What does the joint communiqué from Poland, Sweden, and the Czech Republic say that they refuse to play the re-qualification in Russia say?

The joint communiqué of these three nations states that they categorically condemn Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and affirm that the reclassification matches for the Qatar 2022 World Cup should not be played in Russia. 

The communiqué reads as follows:

"The soccer federations of Poland, Sweden, and the Czech Republic categorically condemn Russia's aggression towards Ukraine. Given the current situation, the Polish Football Association (PZPN), the Swedish Federation (SVFF), and the Football Association of the Czech Republic (FAcR) express a firm position which is scheduled for March 24 and 29 this year," they explained in the statement.

"The playoff matches for the World Cup in Qatar should not be held in the Russian Federation. The signatories of this appeal do not take into account the travel to Russia and the playing of soccer matches there. The military escalation we are observing is associated with serious consequences and a significant reduction in the level of security of our representations and official delegations. We, therefore, expect an immediate response from FIFA and UEFA and the presentation of alternative solutions for upcoming matches," the statement concluded.

Although neither UEFA nor FIFA have responded to this request, these national teams are reportedly willing to sit out the re-qualification that would take place in Russia on March 24 in Moscow, in the semifinals of their World Cup playoff bracket. 

If Russia's national soccer team advances from that round, they would have to host the winner of the other semifinal, Sweden or the Czech Republic, on March 29.

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