Sweden's World Cup playoff, on March 26, cannot be played in Ukraine due to the Russian invasion war. One proposal is instead that Sweden be allowed to arrange the opponents' "home match".
I have mentioned it to them, and now the ball is in their court," says national team manager Stefan Pettersson to Göteborgs-Posten.
“Unrealistic”
However, it does not seem particularly likely that Ukraine would choose to face Sweden on Swedish soil.
It's probably an unrealistic alternative, says Vitalie Pletsan, press officer at the Ukrainian Football Federation, to Aftonbladet.
Poland, where Ukraine has played its home matches in the World Cup qualifiers, may not be the most likely option either. The winner of the match between Ukraine and Sweden could face Poland in a crucial playoff for a World Cup spot, five days later.
We have to plan for an advance against you, Sweden. There we can face Poland. Should we play at home against Poland, in Poland then? says Pletsan.
For logistical reasons both for the national team and for our supporters, we would also prefer to play both of our matches at the same venue.
The Czech Republic, Germany and Spain – countries where Ukraine has previously hosted matches – could be alternatives, writes Aftonbladet.
“Not super easy”
The venue must be determined by Wednesday at the latest, according to the International Football Association Board's rules, writes Göteborgs-Posten.
Then you have to bear in mind that it's not super easy for Ukraine in particular. It doesn't sound entirely unlikely that they would get an extra day, says Stefan Pettersson.
The last time Ukraine played on Ukrainian soil was in a friendly match against Bulgaria in November 2021.
