Football (Soccer) Matches That Are Banned By UEFA & FIFA

Map created by Favox88The map above shows banned football (soccer) matchups between various countries, pre the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

In most cases, it comes down to historical animosity and/or (lack of) political recognition.

The banned matchups are:

• Spain vs Gibraltar – Over the ongoing dispute between Spain and the United Kingdom over the territory.
• Armenia vs Azerbaijan – Due to ethnic and territorial conflict between the two nations.
• Ukraine vs Russia (although Russia is now banned by UEFA & FIFA from all international tournaments); war, prior to that ongoing territorial disputes.
• Kosovo vs Russia (see above); war, prior to that support for Serbia’s claim to Kosovo (see below)
• Kosovo vs Serbia – Serbia still does not recognise Kosovo as an independent country, and considers it breakaway part of their own.
• Kosovo vs Bosnia and Herzegovina – Bosnia and Herzegovina supports Serbia’s claim to Kosovo.

And this includes each countries national team and any other domestic club teams.

Israel may also be banned by FIFA at some stage.

The decision  was supposed to happen at the end of August, but has since been delayed again.