Ukraine has criticized the map shown during the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as an “unacceptable error” after it appeared to exclude Crimea as part of the country.
The graphic – which shows countries that cannot be drawn to play with each other for geopolitical reasons – highlights Ukraine, but does not include the peninsula that is internationally recognized as part of it.
Crimea has been under Russian occupation since 2014 and only a few countries recognize the peninsula as Russian territory.
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Georgiy Tyhi said the nation expected a “public apology.”
Writing on X, Tihi said FIFA not only “acted against international law” but also “supported Russian propaganda, war crimes and the crime of aggression against Ukraine.”
He added a “corrected” version of the map to his post, highlighting Crimea as part of Ukraine’s territory.
Among the countries that cannot play each other are Ukraine and Belarus, Spain and Gibraltar and Kosovo against Bosnia and Herzegovina or Serbia.
The Ukrainian Football Association also sent a letter to FIFA General Secretary Matthias Grafström and UEFA General Secretary Theodor Theodoridis in this regard.
“We appeal to you to express our deep concern regarding the infographic map (displayed) on December 13, 2024,” the letter said.
“Taking into account the series 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 appears to be an inconsistent position of FIFA and UEFA.”
BBC News has contacted FIFA for comment.
The 2026 World Cup begins on June 11 of that year in Mexico City and ends on July 19 in New Jersey.
The extended tournament with 48 teams will last a record 39 days.
Ukraine have been placed in Group D along with Iceland, Azerbaijan and the still-undecided winner of France’s Nations League quarter-final against Croatia.
