Sweden has followed Poland in its refusal to play Russia in one World Cup qualifier next month after Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, and it called on FIFA to cancel all matches involving Russia.

The president of the Polish Football Association, Cezary Kulesza, said in a tweet on Saturday that the national team would refuse to play against Russia in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began on Thursday.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL FINALS IN PARIS, NOT RUSSIA, IN THE MIDDLE OF Ukraine’s invasion

“No more words, time to act!” sade Kulesza. “Due to the Russian Federation’s escalation of aggression against 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 present a joint statement to FIFA.”

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

“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 statement sa. “The Federal Board also urges FIFA to cancel the play-off matches in March in which Russia participates.”

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE AT FOXNEWS.COM

“The illegal and deeply unjust invasion of Ukraine currently makes all football matches with Russia impossible,” said Karl-Erik Nilsson, chairman of the Swedish Federation. “We therefore urge FIFA to decide that the play-offs in March in which Russia participates will be canceled.”

Poland would play Russia in Moscow on March 24. Sweden meets the Czech Republic on the same day, and the winner of each match goes on to a match played in Moscow on March 29.

“As long as Russian aggression continues, I want the EU to make a decision that we will not have any participation in Russian events, and we will exclude Russian professionals from participating in events in other countries,” said Swedish Sports Minister Anders. in Ygeman.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Sweden’s midfielder Viktor Claesson (left) gets involved with Ukraine’s defender Oleksandr Zinchenko (center) and Mykola Matviyenko during the UEFA EURO 2020 quarterfinals between Sweden and Ukraine at Hampden Park in Glasgow on 29 June 2021.
(Paul Ellis / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

Poland and Sweden’s actions on Saturday reinforce their previous stance that they would not play matches in Russia.

FIFA has not yet taken a clear position that Russia will host or even play against Poland. UEFA said on Friday that all Russian and Ukrainian teams in their competitions now have to move their home matches to play in other countries and that the final, which was originally planned for St. Petersburg. Petersburg, was to be moved.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.