Football is often seen as a game that brings countries together, but political disputes and conflicts have sometimes made certain international fixtures too sensitive to stage.
In some cases, FIFA and UEFA have kept national teams apart because of political tensions, territorial disputes or security concerns.
Here are six notable pairings that have been kept apart.
Spain vs Gibraltar
Spain and Gibraltar have a long-running dispute over sovereignty. Gibraltar has been under British control since 1713, but Spain continues to claim the territory.
The political disagreement has also affected football, with UEFA keeping the two sides apart in competition draws because of the sensitive nature of the dispute.
Armenia vs Azerbaijan
Armenia and Azerbaijan have been kept apart because of their long-running conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.
The dispute has led to several periods of armed conflict, most recently in 2020 and 2023. UEFA has also prevented clubs from the two countries from being drawn against each other in European competitions.
The tensions have affected players too. Armenian international Henrikh Mkhitaryan missed Arsenal’s 2019 Europa League final in Baku because of security concerns.
Kosovo vs Serbia
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but Serbia does not recognise it and continues to claim the territory.
The dispute has extended to football, with UEFA preventing Kosovo and Serbia from being drawn against each other in its competitions.
Kosovo vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina is another country that does not recognise Kosovo’s independence.
Political divisions within Bosnia, particularly the position of Republika Srpska, have contributed to the country’s stance. UEFA has consequently kept the two national teams apart.
Kosovo vs Russia
Russia also does not recognise Kosovo’s independence and continues to support Serbia’s position on the territory.
The two countries have therefore been kept apart in UEFA competitions. Russia’s subsequent suspension from international football has further prevented the fixture from taking place.
Russia vs Ukraine
The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has also made a meeting between the two national teams impossible.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, FIFA and UEFA suspended Russian national teams and clubs from their competitions.
The conflict has also severely disrupted Ukrainian football, with clubs forced to relocate matches and players affected by the war.
Vanguard News
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