Kenny Dalglish proposes Ukraine 2026 World Cup bye as Scotland set to discover UEFA and FIFA's solution for playoff

Kenny Dalglish believes Ukraine should be handed an automatic place at the 2026 World Cup.

The Scotland legend spoke out as football’s top brass prepared to redraw the play-off fixture list over the next 48 hours.

It’s now expected that UEFA and FIFA will agree on a new look schedule by Tuesday afternoon as they attempt to ensure that Ukraine are in a position to compete despite the ongoing Russian invasion.

That looks set to mean Steve Clarke’s side will meet a Ukrainian side at Hampden on June 1 so long as the play-off semi final is able to go ahead.

And the winners would then face Wales in Cardiff on June 5 knowing a place at the finals in November is up for grabs.

But Dalglish feels that, if the Ukrainians do not feel ready or able to play, an alternative solution may be to hand them a direct place at 2026 Finals in North America whilst Clarke’s team go on to face Wales to decide who goes to Qatar.

Dalglish said: “I don’t know what should be done, but you’ve got to have huge respect for the Ukrainian players and the Football Association.

“It’s not their fault that they are in the position they are in.

“Most of the squad don’t play over there. They are playing elsewhere, but they’ve still got families there that have been hugely affected by it.

“I think it’s unfair to put them under pressure in any way, shape or form.

“Maybe a wee olive branch and say, in the next World Cup, you can go straight through. You don’t need to qualify.

“It would be a way of showing your respect for them and, at the same time, moving forward with this World Cup in Qatar.

“And people will say: 'How can they (Ukraine) get that?'

“Well, if you want to get your places bombed, your parents killed and your friends killed, that’s what you