Scotland vs Ukraine World Cup play off contingency plan revealed as FIFA set Hampden backup date

Scotland could hold their World Cup play-off against Ukraine at the beginning of June if the planned fixture cannot go ahead at the end of this month due to the Russian invasion of its neighbours.

FIFA sources believe qualification for the last UEFA place for Qatar 2022 can be completed by holding three matches in the final international window from June 2-14.

Scottish football bosses are on alert about any potential re-scheduling of the matches which are currently due to be held on March 24, just a week ahead of the World Cup draw on April 1.

If the World Cup play-offs are moved to June then some Nations League fixtures could be moved to September, when they would be played instead of pre-World Cup friendlies.

Scotland have three Nations League Group B fixtures in June with one of them ironically against Ukraine and the others against Armenia and Republic of Ireland.

But the World Cup play-off ties would take priority if they have to be switched and would see Scotland's clash against Ukraine and Wales vs Austria taking place at the start of the month, with a final play-off between the winners of the two matches on June 13/14.

This would be the latest date for qualification for the 32 teams who will then need to attend FIFA workshops which usually take place 100 days ahead of a World Cup.

The Qatar tournament was moved to November to avoid the searing summer heat in the Gulf, a delay which helped qualifying rounds be completed in the face of a Covid pandemic and now war which has played havoc with schedules.

But with domestic players making up the majority of the Ukraine squad, the team currently faces being called up to fight the Russian invaders rather than playing a game of football.

There is also the question of