In a short statement on Tuesday evening, the PZPN confirmed that FIFA had decided to hand Poland a walkover for their scheduled World Cup play-off match against Russia. The Biało-czerwoni will now host either Sweden or Czech Republic for a place at the World Cup!

🆕 FIFA we wtorek wieczorem podjęła decyzję o ukaraniu reprezentacji Rosji walkowerem w meczu barażowym z Polską o awans do mistrzostw świata.

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— PZPN (@pzpn_pl) March 8, 2022

Poland had been scheduled to play against Russia in Moscow, but refused following the latter’s invasion into Ukraine. As a result, FIFA were forced into a decision.

On Twitter, PZPN president Cezary Kulesza announced: “ FIFA today penalised Russia with a forfeit. And very well! As a result of the war in Ukraine, Russian football must also bear responsibility. Zero tolerance for a country that brutally kills civilians… And we showed that football solidarity makes sense! And we continue to support Ukraine.”

FIFA ukarała dziś Rosję walkowerem. I bardzo dobrze! W wyniku wojny na Ukrainie, odpowiedzialność musi ponieść także rosyjski futbol. Zero tolerancji dla kraju, który bestialsko zabija cywilów… A my pokazaliśmy, że piłkarska solidarność ma sens! I dalej wspieramy Ukrainę🇵🇱🤝🇺🇦

— Cezary Kulesza (@Czarek_Kulesza) March 8, 2022

The Poles will now host the winner of the match between Czech Republic and Sweden at the Stadion Śląski in Chorzów, on March 29th, for a place at the World Cup.

There has been talk of playing a friendly match in place of the previously scheduled match against Russia, with rumours that a representative team from the Basque region had offered to meet the Poles. As of yet, there has been no confirmation.