A map proven throughout the draw for the 2026 Fifa World Cup has been criticised by Ukraine as an “unacceptable error” after it appeared to exclude Crimea as a part of the nation.
The graphic – exhibiting international locations that can not be drawn to play one another for geopolitical causes – highlighted Ukraine however didn’t embody the peninsula that’s internationally recognised to be a part of it.
Crimea has been beneath Russian occupation since 2014 and only a handful of nations recognise the peninsula as Russian territory.
Ukraine Overseas Ministry spokesman Heorhiy Tykhy stated that the nation expects “a public apology”.
Writing on X, Tykhy stated that Fifa had not solely “acted towards worldwide regulation” however had additionally “supported Russian propaganda, battle crimes, and the crime of aggression towards Ukraine”.
He added a “fastened” model of the map to his put up, highlighting Crimea as a part of Ukraine’s territory.
Among the many international locations that can’t play one another are Ukraine and Belarus, Spain and Gibraltar and Kosovo versus both Bosnia and Herzegovina or Serbia.
The Ukrainian Soccer Affiliation has additionally despatched a letter to Fifa secretary-general Mathias Grafström and UEFA secretary-general Theodore Theodoridis over the matter.
“We enchantment to you to specific our deep concern in regards to the infographic map [shown] on December 13, 2024,” the letter reads.
“Bearing in mind a variety of official choices and resolutions adopted by the Fifa Council and the UEFA government committee since 2014… we emphasize that in the present day’s model of the cartographic picture of Ukraine… is totally unacceptable and appears like an inconsistent place of Fifa and UEFA.”
BBC Information has contacted Fifa for remark.
The 2026 World Cup will begin on 11 June that yr in Mexico Metropolis and finish on 19 July in New Jersey.
The expanded 48-team event will final a file 39 days.
Ukraine have been positioned in Group D alongside Iceland, Azerbaijan and the yet-to-be-determined winners of France’s Nations League quarter-final towards Croatia.