Scotland World Cup play-off: 'Pressure unfair - let Ukraine walk away and guarantee them place at 2026 tournament'

Scottish football legend Kenny Dalglish insists Ukraine should not be placed “under pressure in any way, shape or form” to fulfil their World Cup play-off semi-final against Steve Clarke’s men while a brutal war is being waged on them by Russia.

Furthermore, he has suggested that a possible way out of the football predicament for all involved parties created by the atrocities for which Vladimir Putin can be held directly responsible could come from granting Ukraine automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup to be hosted by the USA and Canada.

The postponement of Scotland’s play-off semi-final from last month until early June could be considered no more than an exercise in buying time over an issue that will hardly be figuring in the minds of ordinary Ukrainians as their lives and homes are being systematically destroyed. Against such a backdrop, Dalglish suggests it would hardly sit well either to expect them to turn their attentions to a football game, or lose out on the chance of only a second World Cup appearance because of what is being inflicted on them. Instead, he believes Scotland should go forward to face Wales in a June play-off final while Ukraine are provided the assurance of knowing that a World Cup awaits them beyond their current horrors, with the 2026 edition likely to see the tournament expanded from 32 to 48 teams.

“I don’t know what should be done, but you’ve got to have huge respect for the Ukrainian players and the football association,” Dalglish said. “It’s not their fault that they are in the position they are in. Some of the squad play 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.