- FIFA, soccer’s world governing body, is facing backlash over a map it showed of Ukraine.
- The map appeared to show Ukraine without Crimea as part of it.
- A spokesperson for Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry demanded a public apology from FIFA.
FIFA, soccer’s world governing body, is facing backlash after showing a map that appeared to omit Crimea from Ukrainian territory.
The map, which was shown during a 2026 World Cup qualifying draw earlier this week, was designed to show countries that cannot be drawn to play against each other for geopolitical reasons, such as Ukraine and Belarus.
However, the graphic appeared to highlight Ukraine but without Crimea as part of it.
In response, Heorhii Tykhyi, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, wrote on X: “Are you OK, @FIFAcom?”
“By redrawing international borders in yesterday’s broadcast, you not only acted against international law, but also supported Russian propaganda, war crimes, and the crime of aggression against Ukraine,” he continued, adding that Ukraine expected “a public apology.”
He said they had also “fixed” the map for FIFA and shared another version of it with Crimea highlighted.
In a statement to Business Insider, FIFA said it was “aware of an issue, which affected one of the graphics displayed during the draw and addressed the situation with the federation.”
“The segment has been removed,” it added.
The Ukrainian Association of Football (UAF) said it had written to FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström and UEFA Secretary General Theodore Theodoridis about the matter.
“We are writing to express our deep concern regarding the infographic map of Europe shown during the TV broadcast of the European Qualifiers draw,” the letter reads.
“We emphasize that the version of the map presented by FIFA during the global broadcast to a multi-million audience is unacceptable,” it continues. “It appears as an inconsistent stance by FIFA and UEFA on this crucial issue, especially in light of the ongoing destructive invasion initiated by Russia against Ukraine in the 21st century, in the heart of Europe.”
Business Insider contacted the UAF for comment.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has long vowed to end Russia’s occupation of Crimea, which Moscow annexed in 2014.
The peninsula — the home of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet — holds great strategic importance for the Kremlin, and it has been a major target for Kyiv since Putin launched his full-scale invasion in 2022.
The 2026 World Cup is set to take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Ukraine is in qualifying group D, where it is set to face off against Iceland, Azerbaijan, and the winners of the France vs. Croatia Nations League quarter-final.
FIFA this week confirmed that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup.
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