\u201cKosovo is Serbia, FIFA has once again confirmed. Ukraine raised an alarm because the graphic shown during the group draw for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers showed Crimea as part of Russia, aligning with Moscow's position but not Kyiv\u2019s or nearly the entire world\u2019s.\u201d The article further misinforms by stating that FIFA apologized to Ukraine for the map error but did not do the same regarding Kosovo.<\/p>\n
\"Meaning, no one mentioned it anymore, so it can be concluded that Kosovo and M are part of Serbia, and for FIFA, this is not a mistake but reality,\" wrote<\/a> the Serbian outlet.<\/p>\n Facts about FIFA\u2019s Map<\/strong><\/p>\n During the draw for the 2026 World Cup, FIFA<\/a> published a map showing European countries that are prohibited from playing against each other, among other reasons, due to strained relations. Examples include Ukraine and Belarus, as well as Spain and Gibraltar. Kosovo, Serbia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina were also marked on the map as pairs that could not face each other.<\/p>\n The claim made by \"Republika.rs<\/a>\" does not reflect the reality of the situation. The map had no connection to the recognition of statehood but merely outlined restrictions for safety and geopolitical reasons.<\/p>\n Furthermore, FIFA has for years dismissed claims that Kosovo is treated as part of Serbia. The organization has recognized<\/a> Kosovo as a member since 2016, treating it as an independent state within the international football community.<\/p>\n \u201cGazeta Express<\/a>\u201d also published an article claiming that \u201cFIFA and UEFA caused a major scandal \nby presenting Kosovo as part of Serbia.\u201d This article reiterated the same arguments that Kosovo is \ntreated as part of Serbia, without clarifying that within the same color grouping, Bosnia-\nHerzegovina and other European countries that cannot play against each other were also included.<\/p>\n FIFA, the global governing body of football, faced<\/a> strong reactions from Ukraine, which demanded an explanation as to why Crimea was depicted as part of Russia. Subsequently, FIFA apologized<\/a> to the Ukrainian Football Federation, adding that it had removed the map where Crimea was excluded from Ukraine.<\/p>\n \"We fully understand the delicate sensitivity of this matter, and while the incident was unintentional, we sincerely regret any concern it may have caused,\" read FIFA\u2019s letter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Kosovo and Ukraine are among the 54 teams that were part of the draw for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, which will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sbunker.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/111111111111111-300x249.png\")
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