"Regret all concerns"

Scandal over wrong Ukraine card: FIFA now responds

The Crimean peninsula was not counted as part of Ukraine on the map shown.(Bild: AFP/APA/Fabrice COFFRINI, X/kos_data)

Soccer's world governing body FIFA has responded to Ukraine's complaint about the use of an incorrect European map in the draw for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. "Even if the incident was unintentional, we deeply regret any concerns it may have caused," wrote Elkhan Mammadov, FIFA Director Member Associations, to the Ukrainian association. The Ukrainian association published the letter on its website.

During the explanations before the draw on Friday, a map was shown in a video that did not show the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea as part of Ukraine. The Ukrainian association then complained to FIFA and the European Football Union (UEFA). Heorhij Tychyj, spokesman for the Ukrainian foreign ministry, demanded a public apology from the world governing body.

Graphic from third-party provider
In its letter, FIFA pointed out that the graphic had been developed by an external third-party provider. The image was removed immediately after the incident came to its attention. An internal review should ensure that such an oversight is not repeated in the future.

Russia annexed the Ukrainian Crimea in 2014 in violation of international law and has occupied the peninsula ever since. Russia has been waging a war of aggression against neighboring Ukraine for almost three years. Ukraine has repeatedly announced its intention to liberate Crimea from Russian occupation.