FIFA and the OFC have confirmed that the Cook Is have withdrawn from the OFC qualifying tournament for the 2022 Men’s World Cup. The Cook Is had a number of positive COVID-19 tests after their first match, a 2-0 loss to the Solomon Is, and were unable to play their remaining matches. As a result of their withdrawal, their match against the Solomon Is has been annulled.

Following the withdrawals of Vanuatu and the Cook Is, only the Solomon Is and Tahiti remain in Group A. Hence, both teams advance to the semifinals, and their match against one another on THU 24 MAR 2022 will decide first and second place in the group. The match will be played as a knockout match, with extra time and penalties if required.

The Cook Is were able to play one match before withdrawing, a 2-0 loss to the Solomon Is on THU 17 MAR 2022. That match has been annulled, though it will still be taken into account in the computations for the teams’ FIFA rankings.