Ukraine Calls for FIFA to Retract Crimea Map Error Amid World Cup Draw Controversy**

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has criticized FIFA for a map that excludes Crimea, urging a public apology for what they deem a support for Russian aggression against their nation.**

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry is demanding an apology from FIFA after a map presented at the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup erroneously depicted the country without Crimea, which remains under Russian occupation since 2014. The infographic, which was meant to illustrate geopolitical matchups, highlighted Ukraine while failing to acknowledge Crimea’s status as part of its territory.

Ministry spokesman Heorhiy Tykhy expressed deep concern on social media, asserting that FIFA's actions contradict international law and unwittingly endorse Russian propaganda and aggression. He even shared a corrected version of the map, clearly marking Crimea as Ukrainian territory.

The Ukrainian Football Association (UFA) has escalated the matter, sending correspondence to FIFA's Secretary-General Mathias Grafström and UEFA's Secretary-General Theodore Theodoridis, voicing their objection to the December 13, 2024 map presentation. Their letter pointed to multiple FIFA and UEFA resolutions since 2014, emphasizing the unacceptable nature of the misrepresentation.

FIFA has yet to respond to requests for comment. The tournament, set to run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, will be hosted in Mexico City and New Jersey, featuring an expanded 48 teams. Ukraine has already been placed in Group D along with Iceland, Azerbaijan, and an awaiting challenger from France's Nations League.