Due to the war of invasion in Ukraine, the occupying power Russia was thrown out of the football community.
Before the draw, Germany's interior minister Nancy Faeser wrote to UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and expressed the wish that the European football confederation stick to isolating Russia but also exclude Belarus, Russia's loyal ally.
According to Der Spiegel, Faeser writes:
"Not only Russia, which is waging war against international law, but also Belarus, as a big supporter of the Russian leadership, should be excluded everywhere, from all international football matches and tournaments".
The Minister of the Interior also believes that the sports world must "live up to its responsible role and take a united stand against this form of violation of human rights".
The draw for the qualifiers takes place in Frankfurt on October 9.
In the summer of 2024, the playoffs will be decided in eleven German cities.