Wales were open to idea of Ukraine getting a World Cup bye

The idea of giving war-torn Ukraine a bye to the 2022 World Cup finals was discussed by FIFA, says Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney (Adam Davy/PA)

Ukraine being handed a bye to the 2022 World Cup was discussed by FIFA following the country’s invasion of Russia, says Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney.

Wales, Scotland and Austria are in the same World Cup play-off path as Ukraine, with the winners filling one of the final three European qualification places for Qatar 2022 later this year.