Ukraine Seeks Apology from FIFA Over Crimea Representation in World Cup Map

A map used in the FIFA World Cup draw has ignited controversy in Ukraine, as it neglected to show Crimea as part of the country. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has demanded an apology from FIFA, highlighting issues of international law and the portrayal of geopolitical realities.

Ukraine has demanded a public apology from FIFA following a controversial map showcased during the draw for the 2026 World Cup. The map, which addressed geopolitical restrictions on match-ups, highlighted Ukraine but failed to include Crimea, a region internationally recognized as Ukrainian but currently under Russian occupation since 2014.

Heorhiy Tykhy, spokesman for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, criticized the oversight as an “unacceptable error,” stating that FIFA’s act not only contravenes international law but also aids in Russian propaganda. He has urged FIFA to rectify the map's exclusion of Crimea and has posted a revised map reflecting the territory accurately on social media platform X.

FIFA has acknowledged the issue and promptly removed the offending image from their platforms. The Ukrainian Football Association has expressed their concerns directly to FIFA and UEFA's leadership, emphasizing the inconsistency in their positions regarding the recognition of Crimea.

“As we have previously communicated in various resolutions since 2014, the portrayal of Ukraine on the map was completely unacceptable,” stated the letter to FIFA Secretary-General Mathias Grafström and UEFA Secretary-General Theodore Theodoridis.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to begin on June 11, 2026, and conclude on July 19, 2026, across several cities in North America. Ukraine's national team has been placed in Group D alongside Iceland, Azerbaijan, and the as-yet-undetermined winners of France’s Nations League quarter-final against Croatia.