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A map shown during the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw has been criticized by Ukraine as an “unacceptable error” after it appeared to exclude Crimea as part of the country.
The graphic, which shows countries that cannot confront each other for geopolitical reasons, highlighted Ukraine but did not include the peninsula that is internationally recognized as part of it.
Crimea has been under Russian occupation since 2014 and only a handful of countries recognize the peninsula as Russian territory.
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhiy Tykhy said the nation expects “a public apology.”
FIFA said it was “aware of an issue” and that the image had been removed.
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He added a “fixed” version of the map to his post, highlighting Crimea as part of Ukraine’s territory.
Countries that cannot face each other include Ukraine and Belarus, Spain, Gibraltar and Kosovo against Bosnia and Herzegovina or Serbia.
The Ukrainian Football Federation also sent a letter to FIFA Secretary General Mathias Grafström and UEFA General Secretary Theodore Theodoridis on the matter.
“We ask that you express our deep concern about the infographic map (shown) of December 13, 2024,” the letter reads.
“Taking into account a series of official decisions and resolutions adopted by the FIFA Council and the UEFA executive committee since 2014… we emphasize that the current version of the cartographic image of Ukraine… is completely unacceptable and appears to be a inconsistent position of FIFA and UEFA”.
The 2026 World Cup will begin on June 11 of that year in Mexico City and will end on July 19 in New Jersey.
The tournament expanded to 48 teams will have a record duration of 39 days.
Ukraine was placed in Group D alongside Iceland, Azerbaijan and the yet-to-be-determined winner of France’s Nations League quarterfinal against Croatia.
