FIFA considered handing Ukraine a bye straight into the World Cup group stage, according to Welsh FA chief Noel Mooney.
The harrowing Russian invasion has put Ukrainian football on ice for the foreseeable with their playoff semi-final with Scotland postponed until June.
The Scottish FA have frequently expressed solidarity with their opponents and are keen to do everything they can to help.
Wales will face Austria in the other semi-final as planned on March 24 with Scotland facing Poland on that date.
Steve Clarke 's side will then face the loser from Wales and Austria away from home on March 29, the date originally earmarked for the final.
It had been suggested that Scotland, Wales and Austria could step aside altogether and allow Ukraine to go straight into the group stage at Qatar 2022.
And while Welsh chief Mooney reveals a bye was on the table, he says it would have led to an expansion to 33 teams, rather than potentially coming at Scotland's expense.
Mooney told the PA news agency: "It was a Welsh perspective that if it could be accommodated it could be a really good thing to do.
"It's something as a human being you would say, 'OK if they're not ready to play in June should they be given a bye'.
"There was some loose discussion around it, saying could you get an extra space for Ukraine because of the horrendous time they are going through.
"But it would mean an extra team in the World Cup as there's three teams left - ourselves, Scotland and Austria - and it's a big thing for us to qualify for the World Cup.
"From our perspective we'd have been very comfortable with giving Ukraine a bye with the other three fighting it out amongst ourselves (for one place).
"But there's the integrity of the competition, and with the tournament (lasting) only 28 days to try and fit that sort of thing in would be very difficult. The feeling was that a 28-day tournament wouldn't facilitate it."
The Scotland-Ukraine game has been rescheduled for June in a month when countries are due to play four Nations League games at the end of a demanding season.
Mooney said: "We want to give Ukraine as much time as they can to declare they are OK to play in June.
"I'm not aware of any conversation that it could be anything beyond June. It's a possibility (that Ukraine won't play) but no-one wants to see that.
"Our principles are trying to protect the Nations League games as well but bearing in mind that the final to get to the World Cup will take precedence.
"What we are trying to do is to protect as best we can the supporter trips as well. It's difficult because if we do insert a match, something has to give. We can't have players playing every two days.
"There are options floating around and we hope to have decision in the next week or two."
Noel Mooney was speaking at a National Lottery Football Weekends event, The campaign will make over 100,000 tickets available on a 'Buy One Get One Free' basis for National Lottery players for selected matches as a 'thank you' for over £12.5 million of funding they helped provide to community football clubs during the Covid pandemic.
To find out more visit www.thenationallotteryfootballweekends.co.uk.
