In brief
FIFA's omission of Crimea from Ukraine in an infographic for the 2026 World Cup draw has sparked significant backlash from the Ukrainian government and football authorities.
Ukraine is demanding an apology from FIFA after a map presented during the draw for the 2026 World Cup failed to include Crimea as part of the country. The map indicated countries that are prohibited from competing against each other for political reasons, highlighting Ukraine while excluding the internationally recognized region of Crimea, which has been under Russian control since 2014. Heorhiy Tykhy, spokesperson for Ukraine's Foreign Ministry, described the incident as "an unacceptable error," expressing the expectation for a "public apology" from FIFA. The governing body acknowledged the mistake, stating it was "aware of an issue," and subsequently removed the image from circulation. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Tykhy accused FIFA of acting against international law and inadvertently supporting Russian propaganda. He also shared a corrected version of the map, reasserting Crimea as part of Ukraine. Following the incident, the Ukrainian Football Association sent a formal letter to FIFA Secretary-General Mathias Grafström and UEFA Secretary-General Theodore Theodoridis, emphasizing their concerns about the map displayed on December 13, 2024. The letter highlighted this misrepresentation as inconsistent with FIFA and UEFA's official positions established since the annexation of Crimea. Ukraine is set to participate in the World Cup, facing teams such as Iceland and Azerbaijan in Group D. The tournament will commence on June 11, 2026, in Mexico City and wrap up on July 19, 2026, in New Jersey. As preparations continue, the nation hopes that FIFA addresses and rectifies the issue regarding the portrayal of its territory.
