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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Katie Sands

Ukrainian refugees invited by Wales to watch huge World Cup play-off final in Cardiff today

Ukrainian refugees have been invited to watch the major World Cup play-off final against Wales in Cardiff today.

Both teams are bracing themselves for a historic encounter at Cardiff City Stadium (5pm kick-off), with a place at the World Cup in Qatar later this year at stake. You can follow live Wales v Ukraine updates here.

The Football Association of Wales has been working with the Welsh Government to make tickets available to displaced families in Wales as a result of the war in Ukraine.

One hundred tickets have been provided to Welsh Government to distribute, and all have been allocated. Ukrainian ambassador to the UK, Vadym Rystaiko, and Wales' Counsel General Mick Antoniw, are set to meet the fans in the Welsh capital's ground ahead of kick-off.

The Ukrainian FA, with assistance from the FAW, is also believed to be selling their standard 5% allocation of tickets for the World Cup play-off final.

Ukraine's World Cup play-off semi-final against Scotland on Wednesday in Glasgow was an emotional affair, with the match representing so much to the people of Ukraine as they continue to withstand Russia's invasion.

Football is likely to see yet more heartfelt scenes as Ukraine's team and fans come together to try to make their first World Cup appearance since 2006, when they advanced to the quarter-finals.

Wales, of course, are out to make history of their own - by becoming the first team to reach a World Cup finals since 1958.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: "I would like to give a warm Welsh welcome to the Ukrainian football team and their supporters to Cardiff. This will be an opportunity for us to reaffirm our support for Ukraine as it fights Russia’s unprovoked and brutal act of war.

“I’m sure that the game will be a very competitive fixture between two skilful and passionate teams. There is a big prize to be won.

"It would be fantastic for the squad and the Welsh supporters to have our team competing in the World Cup in November."

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