The spokesperson for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Heorhiy Tykhy, assessed that FIFA had acted «against international law». Although under Russian occupation since 2014, Crimea is part of Ukrainian territory according to international law.
A “unacceptable error”according to the Ukrainian authorities. This Friday, December 13, FIFA presented a map of Ukraine without Crimea, during the draw for the 2026 World Cup which will take place in North America (Mexico, United States, Canada). However, this Eastern European peninsula, located on the northern coast of the Black Sea, Crimea, is part of Ukrainian territory according to international law, although under Russian occupation since 2014. The FIFA visual showed the countries which cannot face each other for geopolitical reasons like Ukraine and Belarus, Spain and Gibraltar, and Kosovo against Bosnia-Herzegovina or Serbia.
“Totally unacceptable”
The spokesperson for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Heorhiy Tykhy, estimated on his X account that FIFA took action “against international law” and that she also supported “Russian propaganda, war crimes and the crime of aggression against Ukraine”. The Ukrainian representative demanded a public apology from FIFA. “FIFA is aware of an issue regarding one of the visuals displayed during the draw and has addressed the situation with the (Ukrainian) Federation. The graphic in question has been deleted,” indicated the FIFA organization to the BBC .
The Ukrainian Football Federation also reacted in a letter addressed to FIFA Secretary General Mathias Grafström. “We ask you to express our deep concern regarding the infographic map (presented) on December 13, 2024”estimates the federation. The football association added that“taking into account a number of official decisions and resolutions adopted by the FIFA Council and the UEFA Executive Committee since 2014 […]we emphasize that today’s version of the cartographic image of Ukraine […] is totally unacceptable and looks like an inconsistent position from FIFA and UEFA.”. The next World Cup will begin in June 2026 in Mexico and end in July in the United States.
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