Despite being one of four European qualifiers for the event that is due to take place from August 19 to 29 in the Festival Square of the Luzhniki Sports Complex in Russia's capital, the Ukraine team is not taking part following the recommendations of the Ministry of Sports and Youth of Ukraine.

"There are certain recommendations, it does not depend on me," Vladislav Vashchuk, first vice-president of the Beach Football Association of Ukraine, told Russian state-run news agency TASS.

"I have my own desire, but this is a collective decision.

"The national team does not go to the World Cup.

"Can sanctions follow after this?

"I don't know.

"I am the first vice-president, there are many people who lead, I have my own opinion, but this is only my desire."

Ukraine confirmed qualification for what would have been its first World Cup appearance since 2013 at the end of June by taking second place in the European qualifier.

FIFA has confirmed on its website that the fifth-ranked European nation, Switzerland, will take up the empty place.

FIFA declined to comment after being asked by TASS whether sanctions might be applied to Ukraine on the grounds of state interference.

Relations between Ukraine and Russia have been strained since Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in 2014.

Ukraine's shirt for Euro 2020 featured an outline for the country which included Crimea, sparking anger in Russia.

The first Beach Soccer World Championship was held in 1995.

Until 2005, it was held every year, after which it became biennial.

The Russian national team has won the Beach Soccer World Cup twice - in 2011 and 2013.

At the last staging in 2019, which took place in Paraguay, Russia finished third.

The Russian name, flag and anthem will be banned due to the two years of sanctions imposed on the country by the World Anti-Doping Agency and Court of Arbitration for Sport, although the event has remained in Russia despite International Federations being told to strip the nation of hosting rights "unless it is legally or practically impossible to do so".

Construction of the Luzhniki site began on Monday (July 5).