FIFA chiefs have issued a grovelling apology to the Ukrainian FA for an “unacceptable” error they “sincerely regret” during the World Cup qualifying draw. The Eastern European country ended up in Group D alongside Iceland, Azerbaijan and either France or Croatia.
![[Fifa have apologised for a mistake regarding Ukraine during the World Cup qualifying draw]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/x-com-karpatylvivfc-status-1867537921177211062-957394057_b756bf.jpg?strip=all&w=680)
But there was a controversial moment during the draw when Fifa attempted to depict countries which could not cross borders to face each other. Spain vs Gibraltar was cited as one example, with Kosovo versus either Serbia or Bosnia & Herzegovina another.
![[Ukraine was illegally invaded by Russia in 2022]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ukraine-players-pose-team-photograph-906765460.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
A map with shaded areas revealed which nations fell into the category. But Ukrainian chiefs were left outraged when their country was flagged for any potential clash with Belarus. The dark patch showed Ukraine without the territory of Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014.
The Black Sea peninsula is still officially classed as an administrative division of Ukraine. But Russia now occupies Crimea and has several military air bases stationed there following 2022’s illegal invasion of the mainland. Ukraine’s FA wrote a furious letter to Fifa expressing their anger over the map.
FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS. And football’s governing body have now responded expressing their “sincere regret” over the decision. Elkhan Mammadov, Chief Member Association Officer, said: “We acknowledge receipt of your letter and would like to thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.
