FIFA showed a map of Ukraine without Crimea: the Foreign Ministry demands an apology

Photo: x.com/SpoxUkraineMFA

During the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on December 13, FIFA showed a map of Ukraine without temporarily occupied Crimea. This incident caused outrage in the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which demanded an apology.

This was announced by Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi.

The situation occurred when the organizers were explaining the principle of dividing the teams into different groups, including Ukraine and Belarus, Kosovo and Serbia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. During the explanations, a map appeared on the screen, showing the territory of Ukraine without Crimea, which was annexed by Russia.

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.

We fixed the map for you and expect a public apology. pic.twitter.com/UAr7voKqGi

— Heorhii Tykhyi (@SpoxUkraineMFA) December 14, 2024

The Ukrainian Football Association also sent a letter to FIFA Secretary General Mathias Grafström and UEFA Secretary General Theodore Theodoridis regarding the inadmissibility of such depictions of the territories of Ukraine.