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Ukraine could face England, the United States of America and Iran at the 2022 World Cup, should they progress beyond their postponed European play-off tie.

Ukraines UEFA play-off semi-final match against Scotland was originally scheduled for March 24 but was postponed last month after Russia launched an invasion of its neighbouring country.

The postponement also prevented Wales from playing their next play-off match, as they had been due to take on the winners of Ukraines game against Scotland after their defeat of Austria.

It is hoped the matches can eventually take place in the summer. But the situation remains uncertain as the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues.

The tournaments opening match will see hosts Qatar, whose staging of the World Cup finals has proven controversial for the reasons examined in this article, face Ecuador in Al Khor on November 21.

Kick-off times and venues for the remaining group-stage matches are yet to be decided.

The Ukraine football authorities made a request to FIFA to postpone the game scheduled for March 24 at Hampden Park, which was granted.

The request was made after Russia launched its invasion of the country.

Both of Scotlands national team captains, Andy Robertson and Rachel Corsie, expressed solidarity with Ukraines footballers ahead of the decision.

Thats uncertain.

Provisional UEFA and FIFA plans involve Scotland facing Ukraine on a June date originally intended for Nations League fixtures.

It is then hoped the winners could face Wales days later for a World Cup place.

But Scotlands national team coach, Steve Clarke, said he was doubtful the match could take place in the summer.

The very short answer is no, he said when asked last month whether there had been an update on the play-off. I would imagine everyone is waiting until this round of matches is out of the way and then see how the situation develops. But, obviously, its not looking great at this moment.

If youre asking me now will the game go ahead in June then its going to be difficult.

Ukraines coach, Oleksandr Petrakov, has expressed similar doubts.

As long as people in my country continue to die, I cannot think about playing the game in Scotland, Petrakov said in an interview with Ukrainian TV station Football 1.

We still have April and May to come, and we will see what happens then, but we are supposed to playing Scotland in June as well as Nations League games.

But we can't think about them at the moment given the current situation.

The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was asked at NATO headquarters in Brussels if Ukraine should get an automatic place at the World Cup and said it sounds like a good idea.

Former Scottish First Minister Henry McLeish added: It is time for FIFA to step up and say to Ukraine the pressure is off you will be at the World Cup and we will be adding an extra team to the draw to make sure nobody else has to be ejected.

It is not clear how such plans would work, however.

(Photo: Isabella Bonotto/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

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England and United States could face Ukraine at World Cup 2022 - The Athletic