Ukraine Calls for Fifa Apology After Map Excludes Crimea

Ukraine has criticized a map displayed during the draw for the 2026 Fifa World Cup, labeling it an “unacceptable error” because it seemingly omitted Crimea as a component of the nation. This graphic, which illustrated nations prevented from competing against each other due to geopolitical considerations, depicted Ukraine without incorporating the peninsula of Crimea, despite its international recognition as Ukrainian territory. Crimea has been under Russian occupation since 2014, with only a limited number of countries acknowledging the peninsula as Russian territory. Heorhiy Tykhy, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry, stated that the country anticipates “a public apology.” Fifa acknowledged being “aware of an issue” and confirmed the removal of the image. On X, Tykhy asserted that Fifa had not only “acted against international law” but had additionally “supported Russian propaganda, war crimes, and the crime of aggression against Ukraine.” He also included a “fixed” rendition of the map in his post, which depicted Crimea as integral to Ukraine’s territory. The nations designated not to play each other include Ukraine and Belarus, Spain and Gibraltar, and Kosovo against either Bosnia and Herzegovina or Serbia. Furthermore, the Ukrainian Football Association dispatched a letter concerning this issue to Mathias Grafström, Fifa’s secretary-general, and Theodore Theodoridis, UEFA’s secretary-general. The correspondence states: “We appeal to you to express our deep concern about the infographic map [shown] on December 13, 2024.” It continues: “Taking into account a number of official decisions and resolutions adopted by the Fifa Council and the UEFA executive committee since 2014… we emphasize that today’s version of the cartographic image of Ukraine… is completely unacceptable and looks like an inconsistent position of Fifa and UEFA.” The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to commence on 11 June of that year in Mexico City and conclude on 19 July in New Jersey. This expanded tournament, featuring 48 teams, will span a record duration of 39 days. Ukraine was assigned to Group D, alongside Iceland, Azerbaijan, and the eventual victors of France’s Nations League quarter-final match against Croatia.