DUSHANBE, 16.03.2020. (NIAT Khovar) – March and June matches of the World Cup 2022 qualifying tournament of the Asian teams postponed to a later date due to the epidemiological situation relating with the spread of coronavirus.

FIFA consulted with the Asian Football Confederation and decided to postpone the matches, which were scheduled for two windows on March 23-31 and June 1-9. The reason for the transfer was safety measures due to the spread of coronavirus, reports the Tajik Football Federation.
Thus, the match between Tajikistan and Mongolia, which was to be held on March 26 in Dushanbe, was postponed to a later date. Also, the June matches between Japan and Tajikistan (June 4), as well as Tajikistan and Myanmar (June 9) were also postponed indefinitely.

Matches new dates will be announced later. It is noted that football federations will be able to hold World Cup 2022 qualifiers with the mutual consent of the parties, subject to increased safety measures and prior approval from FIFA and AFC.

Previously, the Tajik Ministry of Health recommended reducing mass events due to the threat of coronavirus. The Tajik Football Federation, as a precaution, canceled friendly matches between Tajikistan (U-16) and India (U-16), which were to be held on March 13 and March 15 in Dushanbe.