FIFA apologizes to Ukraine soccer body for Crimea map error at 2026 World Cup draw
FIFA has apologized to the Ukrainian soccer federation for displaying a map during its World Cup qualifying draw that excluded Russia-occupied Crimea from the country’s territory
ZURICH (AP) — FIFA apologized to the Ukrainian soccer federation for displaying a map during its World Cup qualifying draw that excluded Russia-occupied Crimea from the country’s territory.
“We fully understand the delicate sensitivity of this matter and while the incident was unintentional, we sincerely regret any concern it may have cause,” FIFA’s chief member association officer, Elkhan Mammadov, wrote in a letter published Sunday by the Ukrainian soccer body.
Ukraine was one of 54 national teams included in the draw Friday in Zurich for European qualifying groups for the 2026 World Cup. Russia, which has been banned from FIFA competitions because of the military invasion of Ukraine, has illegally occupied Crimea since 2014. The peninsula was not colored as part of Ukrainian territory in a graphic broadcast during the draw event at FIFA headquarters.
“Are you OK, (at)FIFAcom?” Ukraine government spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi wrote Saturday in a post on social media platform X, adding: “We fixed the map for you and expect a public apology.”
