Ukraine Demands FIFA Apology for Map Error

Ukraine's foreign ministry has condemned FIFA for displaying a map during the 2026 World Cup qualifying draw that omitted Crimea, which is internationally recognized as part of Ukraine but is currently occupied by Russia. Spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi accused FIFA of violating international law and supporting Russian propaganda, demanding a public apology. The Ukrainian Football Association also expressed outrage over what they termed an 'unacceptable error' in the broadcast map, reiterating that Crimea is an administrative division of Ukraine despite Russia's annexation in 2014. FIFA has yet to respond to these criticisms, which highlight the ongoing tensions surrounding the conflict in Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian national team has been placed in Group D for the qualifiers, facing teams like Iceland and Azerbaijan. The qualifying rounds will run from March to November 2025, with the World Cup scheduled for 2026 in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.