During the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw, a map drew sharp criticism from Ukraine, which labeled it an “unacceptable error” for seemingly omitting Crimea from its territorial boundaries.
A recent graphic illustrating a country that cannot compete against one another due to geopolitical factors prominently featured Ukraine. Notably absent from the depiction was the peninsula internationally acknowledged as part of Ukraine.
The status of Crimea remains contentious, as it has been occupied by Russia since 2014, with only a limited number of nations acknowledging the peninsula as part of Russian territory.
Heorhiy Tykhy, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, stated that the country is anticipating “a public apology.”
FIFA has acknowledged the problem and confirmed that the image has been taken down.
Tykhy expressed on X that FIFA has not only “acted against international law” but has also “supported Russian propaganda, war crimes, and the crime of aggression against Ukraine.”
His post included a revised map version, emphasizing Crimea as an integral part of Ukraine’s territory.
Countries prohibited from competing against one another include Ukraine and Belarus, Spain and Gibraltar, and Kosovo, which cannot face Bosnia and Herzegovina or Serbia.
The Ukrainian Football Association has formally contacted Fifa Secretary-General Mathias Grafström and UEFA Secretary-General Theodore Theodoridis regarding the issue.
“We urge you to convey our significant apprehension regarding the infographic map presented on December 13, 2024,” the letter states.
“In light of various official decisions and resolutions made by the FIFA Council and the UEFA executive committee since 2014, it is crucial to highlight that the current cartographic representation of Ukraine is entirely unacceptable. This situation reflects a contradictory stance from both Fifa and UEFA.”
The 2026 World Cup is set to kick off on June 11 in Mexico City, culminating in a grand finale on July 19 in New Jersey.
The newly expanded 48-team tournament is set to span an unprecedented 39 days.
Ukraine has been assigned to Group D, where they will compete against Iceland, Azerbaijan, and the eventual winners of the Nations League quarter-final match between France and Croatia, which is yet to be decided.
