Ukrainian FA fumes at FIFA over ‘unacceptable error’ made during World Cup qualification draw and slams governing body’s ‘inconsistent stance’

Ukraine’s FA have sent a furious letter to FIFA over an ‘unacceptable error’ made by the governing body during the European nation’s 2026 World Cup qualifying draw.

The draw determining the qualification groups for FIFA’s showpiece tournament was made during a typically glitzy ceremony at the body’s headquarters in Zurich on Friday.

New England manager Thomas Tuchel was given a favourable draw that puts the Three Lions in a strong position to qualify, while Ukraine find themselves in a difficult group.

As per FIFA’s regulations, some teams are not able to play against each other during the qualification phase of the competition with political issues between nations having a massive impact.

A map displayed during the draw shows the countries that are not allowed to cross borders with Ukraine and Belarus amongst those, but the nation was incensed by FIFA’s showing of the country.

The map displayed at the ceremony shaded over nation’s that couldn’t play each other, but didn’t cover Ukraine’s Crimea region that was previously illegally invaded by Russia.

The draw determining the qualification groups for FIFA’s showpiece tournament was made during a typically glitzy ceremony at the body’s headquarters in Zurich on Friday

Ukraine are furious over this map displayed during the draw that failed to recognise Crimea as part of the nation

Crimea is internationally recognised as part of Ukraine and is separated from Russia to the east by the narrow Kerch Strait.

Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion of Crimea in 2014 and the region has been under Russian control ever since with a sham referendum determining the peninsula’s official status later being deemed by Ukraine and the West as illegal.

However, FIFA opted to ignore Crimea as belonging to Ukraine in the World Cup draw and have now received a damning letter from the nation over their actions.

The document sent to FIFA stated: ‘We are writing to express our deep concern regarding the infographic map of Europe shown during the TV broadcast of the European Qualifiers draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026 on December 13, 2024.

FIFA opted to ignore Crimea as belonging to Ukraine in the World Cup draw and have now received a damning letter

FIFA President Gianni Infantino was present at the draw

‘The map, which indicated the countries unable to cross borders, highlighted the territory of Ukraine without the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

‘Considering several official decisions and resolutions passed by the FIFA Council and the Uefa Executive Committee since 2014, which addressed the territorial integrity of Ukraine and the protection of football stakeholders in our country from the aggressive policies of the Russian terrorist state, including regarding the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, we emphasise that the version of the map presented by FIFA during the global broadcast to a multi-million audience is unacceptable.

‘It appears as an inconsistent stance by FIFA and UEFA on this crucial issue, especially in light of the ongoing destructive invasion initiated by Russia against Ukraine in the 21st century, in the heart of Europe.’

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s route to the World Cup see’s them placed in Group D alongside Iceland, Azerbaijan and the winners of France’s Nations League quarter-final against Croatia.