The FIFA World Cup 26 trophy is displayed during the UEFA Preliminary Draw at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, Friday, December 13, 2024.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino waves at the UEFA Preliminary Draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, Friday, December 13, 2024.
The FIFA World Cup 26 trophy is displayed during the UEFA Preliminary Draw at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, Friday, December 13, 2024.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino waves at the UEFA Preliminary Draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, Friday, December 13, 2024.
ZURICH (AP) — FIFA apologized to the Ukrainian soccer federation for displaying a map during its World Cup qualifying draw that excluded Russia-occupied Crimea from the country’s territory.
“We fully understand the delicate sensitivity of this matter and while the incident was unintentional, we sincerely regret any concern it may have cause,” FIFA’s chief member association officer, Elkhan Mammadov, wrote in a letter published Sunday by the Ukrainian soccer body.
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