Ukraine demands apology from FIFA for map without Crimea – photo

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry has demanded an apology from FIFA because the organisation showed Ukraine without Crimea on a map of Europe.

Source: Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi in a post on X (Twitter)

Quote: "Are you OK, FIFA? 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," Tykhyi tweeted.

The Ukrainian Football Association also appealed to FIFA, stressing that such a map image is completely unacceptable and looks like inconsistent positions of FIFA and UEFA on the integrity of Ukraine.

The incident took place during the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying round, which saw Ukraine's national team placed in Group D with four teams from the second basket.

The opponents of the Ukrainian team will be Iceland, Azerbaijan, and the winner of the France – Croatia match in the Nations League quarter-finals.

Support UP or become our patron!