Scotland will face Ukraine in World Cup play-off on June 1st
The winner will take on Wales in Cardiff on Sunday June 5th
UEFA have confirmed that Scotland will face Ukraine in their delayed World Cup play-off semi-final at Hampden Park on Wednesday June 1st.
European football's governing body have confirmed that the winner of that game will go on to play Wales in Cardiff on Sunday June 5th for the World Cup play-off final.
Special permission will be granted to Ukraine's international players to leave the country for overseas fixtures amidst the Russian invasion of their country, which caused the initial March play-offs to be postponed.
Ukraine are now lining up friendlies against France and North Macedonia in preparation for the delayed World Cup deciders.
The Ukraine game could prove a short turnaround for captain Andy Robertson, who may be involved in the Champions League final in Paris on May 28th, whilst Scott McKenna and Ryan Christie could feature in the English Championship play-off final at Wembley a day later.
Scotland, Wales or Ukraine have been drawn into Group B at Qatar 2022, alongside England, Iran and USA.
Meanwhile, the previously planned quadruple header Nations League fixtures in June have had to be re-scheduled.
Scotland v Armenia will now take place at Hampden Park on Wednesday, 8 June, before an away tie against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday, 11 June and the return leg in Armenia on Tuesday, 14 June.
Scotland’s home UNL match against Ukraine will now form part of a September triple-header, with that tie taking place on Wednesday, 21 September, Republic of Ireland on Saturday, 24 September and Ukraine on Tuesday, 27 September.
SFA Chief Executive Ian Maxwell has been at UEFA HQ in Switzerland this week to ratify Scotland's play-off fate.
With the replacement friendly against Poland in March raising £500,000 for UNICEF’S humanitarian effort in Ukraine, Maxwell welcomed confirmation of the revised FIFA World Cup Play-Off and UNL schedule:
“Firstly, it will be great to be able to welcome to Ukraine to Hampden Park in June,” he said. “While, understandably, there will be two sets of competitive players who are committed to taking another step closer to World Cup qualification, we also understand and appreciate the wider context in which the match will take place.
“We have been consistent throughout that postponing the original tie was the right and only thing to do and look forward to hosting Ukraine at Hampden Park in June.”