FIFA Responds to UAF on Crimea Map Incident During 2026 World Cup Draw

FIFA has sent a response to the UAF's letter regarding the display of a map of Ukraine without the Crimean peninsula during the draw for the 2026 World Cup.

The Ukrainian Football Association said that it had received a response from FIFA to a letter in which the UAF pointed to the image of a map of Ukraine without Crimea during the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

"We deeply respect the concerns expressed by the Ukrainian Football Association and understand the sensitivity of this issue. The infographic map in question was developed by a third party - an external contractor providing relevant services. Upon discovering the issue, we immediately took steps to address the situation, including taking steps to remove the image from circulation. In addition, we are conducting an internal review to ensure that such errors do not occur in the future," the UAF quoted FIFA's response to its letter as saying.

FIFA called the incident "unintentional" and said it was "working to resolve this situation."

"We are fully aware of the sensitivity of this issue, and although the incident was unintentional, we sincerely regret any moral damage it may have caused and appreciate your understanding in return as we work with all responsibility to resolve this situation," the letter reads.

Earlier, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Heorhiy Tykhyi, reacted to the situation, saying that "by redrawing international borders in yesterday's broadcast, you not only acted contrary to international law, but also supported Russian propaganda, war crimes and criminal aggression against Ukraine."

This is not the first attempt by the organizers of the sports games to separate Crimea from Ukraine. In July 2021, the official website of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics also posted a map with the participating countries, which separated Crimea from Ukraine by a "border". By the morning of July 23, the map was corrected on the official website of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and the border between Crimea and Ukraine was removed.

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