FIFA, UEFA Ban Six Countries From Facing Each Other

Football is often regarded as a sport that brings countries together. However, political disputes, territorial conflicts and security concerns have sometimes forced FIFA and UEFA to prevent certain national teams from playing against each other.

Here are six notable pairings that have been kept apart:

1. Spain vs Gibraltar

Spain and Gibraltar have a long-running dispute over sovereignty. Gibraltar has been under British control since 1713, although Spain continues to claim the territory. Because of the sensitive political situation, UEFA has kept the two sides apart in competition draws.

2. Armenia vs Azerbaijan

Armenia and Azerbaijan have been separated because of their long-running conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. The dispute has resulted in several periods of armed conflict, including major fighting in 2020 and 2023.

The tensions have also affected football. Armenian star Henrikh Mkhitaryan missed Arsenal’s 2019 Europa League final in Baku because of security concerns.

3. Kosovo vs Serbia

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but Serbia does not recognise its independence and continues to claim the territory. As a result, UEFA has prevented Kosovo and Serbia from being drawn against each other in its competitions.

4. Kosovo vs Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina also does not recognise Kosovo’s independence. Political divisions within Bosnia, particularly the position of Republika Srpska, have contributed to the situation. UEFA has therefore kept the two national teams apart.

5. Kosovo vs Russia

Russia does not recognise Kosovo’s independence and continues to support Serbia’s position on the territory. The two teams have consequently been kept apart in UEFA competitions. Russia’s suspension from international football has also made a potential fixture impossible.

6. Russia vs Ukraine

The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has made a meeting between their national teams impossible. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, FIFA and UEFA suspended Russian national teams and clubs from their competitions.

The war has also severely affected Ukrainian football, with clubs forced to relocate matches and players facing the consequences of the conflict.