FIFA Broadcasts Map of Ukraine Without Crimea During 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

The map shown during FIFA’s December 13 broadcast of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers draw in Switzerland omitted Crimea, Ukraine’s peninsula under Russian occupation.

Prior to the draw, FIFA explained the regulations of the qualification process, emphasizing the separation of certain teams into different groups. Examples included Ukraine and Belarus, Kosovo and Serbia, and Armenia and Azerbaijan.

During this explanation, a map of Europe was shown on screen, where the Russian-occupied Crimea was not depicted as part of Ukraine's territory.

The Ukrainian Football Association (UFA) has formally addressed FIFA Secretary General Matthias Grafström and UEFA Secretary General Theodore Theodoridis regarding an error in the depiction of Ukraine’s map during the broadcast of the 2026 World Cup European qualifiers draw. According to the UFA press service, the letter highlighted the "unacceptable" omission of Crimea.

In February 2014, Russia attempted to annex Crimea following the deployment of Russian troops and a sham referendum held in March 2014. The attempted annexation of Crimea is not recognized by the United Nations or most countries, which uphold its status as part of Ukraine.

Previously, it was reported that in 2024, nearly 5,500 residents of temporarily occupied Crimea were conscripted into the Russian army, according to a report by the Mission of the President of Ukraine in Crimea.