Sweden joins Poland in refusing to play Russia in World Cup qualifiers, urges FIFA to cancel matches

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Sweden has followed Poland in its refusal to play Russia in a World Cup qualifier match next month following Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, and it urged FIFA to cancel any games involving Russia. 

Polish soccer federation President Cezary Kulesza said in a tweet Saturday that the national team would refuse to play against Russia in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that began Thursday. 

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL TO BE HELD IN PARIS, NOT RUSSIA, AMID UKRAINE INVASION 

"No more words, time to act!" Kulesza said. "Due to the escalation of the aggression of the Russian Federation towards Ukraine the Polish national team does not intend to play the play-off match against Russia. We are in talks with the Swedish and Czech federations to bring forward a joint statement to FIFA." 

Hours later, the Swedish national team released a similar announcement.

"The Swedish Football Association's board has decided that the Swedish men's national team will not play a possible playoff match against Russia, regardless of where the match is played," a translation of the statement said. "The federal board also urges FIFA to cancel the playoff matches in March in which Russia participates."

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Emil Forsberg of Sweden (second from left) celebrates scoring a goal with his teammates during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Round of 16 match between Sweden and Ukraine at Hampden Park June 29, 2021, in Glasgow, Scotland.  (Steve Bardens - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

"The illegal and deeply unjust invasion of Ukraine currently makes all football fixtures with Russia impossible," Karl-Erik Nilsson, the Swedish