FIFA face World Cup decision on Russia after Czech Republic make feelings clear

FIFA are facing mounting pressure to kick Russia out of the World Cup play-offs, after the Czech Republic joined Poland and Sweden in boycotting any matches against them.

All three nations on Russia's path to the tournament in Qatar later this year will refuse to play them in response to Vladimir Putin 's invasion of Ukraine.

Poland were due to travel to Moscow on Thursday, March 24 for a semi-final but were first to make a stand against playing on Saturday morning.

Within 24 hours, Sweden and the Czech Republic - who play in the other semi-final and would have travelled to Moscow should Russia advance - joined them.

It puts FIFA president Gianni Infantino at a crossroads over whether or not to allow Russia directly through or replace them in the play-offs.

Join the debate! Should Russia be kicked out of World Cup qualification? Comment your thoughts below.

"We unanimously approved the decision that the Czech national team will in no case enter the event against the selection of Russia in the qualification round of the World Cup 2022," a statement from the Czech football federation said.

"The FACR Committee instructed the FACR Chairman Petr Fousek and the FACR Secretary General Michal Valtr to negotiate with UEFA and FIFA on the Executive Committee's decision not to play a possible match against Russia.

"The FACR Committee took note of the initiative of some OFS on the position of Russian clubs in UEFA competitions and instructed the FACR Chairman Petr Fousek and the FACR Secretary General Michal Valter to negotiate with UEFA in this matter."

Polish football federation president Cezary Kulesza immediately called on FIFA to make a decision, tweeting on Sunday morning: "The president [of the Czech FA] has just told me that the Czechs will also not play Russia in the play-off match.

"Three federations show what solidarity means. Now it's time for the FIFA move."

The trio of nations' stance has been warmly received by the football community, with Poland captain Robert Lewandowski being the first major name to speak out regarding the play-off situation.

"It is the right decision! I can't imagine playing a match with the Russian National Team in a situation when armed aggression in Ukraine continues," the Bayern Munich talisman affirmed on Twitter.

"Russian footballers and fans are not responsible for this, but we can't pretend that nothing is happening."

And after his nation's decision, Karl-Erik Nilsson - chairman of the Swedish FA - was quoted as saying: "The illegal and deeply unjust invasion of Ukraine currently makes all football exchanges with Russia impossible.

"We therefore urge FIFA to decide that the playoff matches in March in which Russia participates will be canceled. But regardless of what FIFA chooses to do, we will not play against Russia in March."

A number of Poland internationals, including Aston Villa 's Matty Cash, also shared a joint statement outlining their position.

"We, the players of the Polish national team, together with the Polish Football Association, decided that as a result of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, we do not intend to play in the play-off match against Russia," it read.

"It is not an easy decision, but there are more important things in life than football. Our thoughts are with the Ukrainian nation and our friend from the national team, Tomasz Kedziora, who is still in Kiev with his family."