Withdrawal

With Vanuatu already out of the tournament in Qatar, Thursday's clash between Solomon Islands and Tahiti in Doha will now act as a single play-off match to determine the winner and runner-up of Group A, with both teams already assured of a spot in the semi-finals.

If the match is level at the end of 90 minutes, extra time will be played followed by penalties if required.

Executive of Vanuatu Football Federation announced the withdrawal on social media this afternoon.

Vanuatu’s first game against Tahiti yesterday was cancelled, after Vanuatu was unable to field a squad due to several Covid-19 cases in the team.

The Oceania Football Confederation said majority of the squad had tested positive after rapid antigen tests were conducted prior to the Vanuatu squad’s departure from their team hotel for the stadium.

“Vanuatu would not have had enough players to field a team,” OFC said.

Regulations require any non-US citizen to have a Covid vaccination before entering the country.

Serb Djokovic, 34, told the BBC last month that he had not been vaccinated.

The 20-time Grand Slam winner was included in the draw for both events, but has since posted on Twitter that he knew it was "unlikely" he could travel.

He is likely to make his return to the tour at the Monte Carlo Masters in April.

The Indian Wells draw will be less balanced following the late withdrawal of Djokovic, who was seeded second.