Ukraine Demands Apology from FIFA Over Map

FIFA is under fire for displaying a map during the 2026 World Cup qualifying draw that excluded Crimea from Ukraine, prompting outrage from Ukrainian officials. Heorhii Tykhyi, spokesperson for Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, condemned the incident as a violation of international law and an endorsement of Russian propaganda, demanding a public apology from FIFA. The governing body acknowledged the error, stating the map was created by an external contractor and has since been removed from circulation. FIFA expressed regret over the incident and is conducting an internal review to prevent future occurrences. The Ukrainian Football Association has formally expressed their concerns to FIFA and UEFA, highlighting the inconsistency of the map with established international boundaries. Despite FIFA's response, the Ukrainian government continues to call for accountability regarding the portrayal of its territorial integrity.