In brief
FIFA's recent map airing during the World Cup draw has incited outrage from Ukraine, with officials deeming it a severe misrepresentation and demanding an apology for the oversight.
In a controversial mistake, FIFA has drawn criticism from Ukraine after a map displayed in the 2026 World Cup draw appeared to exclude Crimea from Ukrainian territory. The graphic, which illustrated countries that cannot face each other due to geopolitical tensions, highlighted Ukraine but omitted the peninsula that has been subject to Russian occupation since 2014. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhiy Tykhy expressed that the nation expects "a public apology" from FIFA, underscoring that the organization not only contravened international law but inadvertently endorsed Russian propaganda and war crimes against Ukraine. Following the backlash, FIFA acknowledged the issue and removed the contentious image.In a social media post, Tykhy shared a corrected version of the map showcasing Crimea within Ukraine's borders, calling out FIFA's portrayal. The map also indicated other geopolitical conflicts, such as that between Ukraine and Belarus and Spain and Gibraltar.In support of the Ukrainian stance, the Ukrainian Football Association has reached out to FIFA's secretary-general Mathias Grafström and UEFA’s secretary-general Theodore Theodoridis. The letter voiced profound concern over the December 13 presentation and highlighted it as a departure from the stance taken in past resolutions by both FIFA and UEFA regarding territorial integrity.The upcoming 2026 World Cup is set to begin on June 11, 2026, in Mexico City, concluding on July 19 in New Jersey. Ukraine will compete in Group D, facing off against Iceland and Azerbaijan, along with the winner of France's Nations League quarter-final against Croatia.
