FOOTBALL’S FORBIDDEN FIXTURES: THE SIX INTERNATIONAL MATCHUPS POLITICS HAS BLOCKED. (PHOTO).

 Football’s forbidden fixtures: The six international matchups politics has blocked

Football is often hailed as a force that unites nations, yet political disputes, territorial claims and security fears have repeatedly forced football’s governing bodies to keep certain national teams apart.

FIFA and UEFA have intervened on several occasions, separating sides in competition draws to avoid inflaming tensions. Here are six of the most notable pairings that have been kept off the fixture list.

Spain vs Gibraltar

Spain and Gibraltar remain locked in a long-running sovereignty dispute. The territory has been under British control since 1713, but Spain continues to claim it. UEFA has responded by ensuring the two sides cannot meet in its competitions, citing the sensitive nature of the disagreement.

Armenia vs Azerbaijan

The bitter conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh has kept Armenia and Azerbaijan apart for years. Armed clashes, most recently in 2020 and 2023, prompted UEFA to bar the national teams — and even clubs from the two countries — from being drawn against each other. The tensions have also affected individual players: Armenian international Henrikh Mkhitaryan was forced to miss Arsenal’s 2019 Europa League final in Baku because of security concerns.

Kosovo vs Serbia  

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Belgrade still refuses to recognise the move and continues to claim the territory. UEFA has therefore prevented the two national teams from meeting in its tournaments.

Kosovo vs Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina is another country that does not recognise Kosovo’s independence. Internal political divisions, particularly the stance of Republika Srpska, have reinforced that position. As a result, UEFA keeps the two sides separated in draws.

Kosovo vs Russia

Russia likewise declines to recognise Kosovo and backs Serbia’s territorial claim. UEFA has barred the pair from facing each other. Russia’s later suspension from international football has made any such meeting even less likely.

Russia vs Ukraine

The full-scale war that began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 rendered any meeting between the two national teams impossible. FIFA and UEFA promptly suspended Russian teams and clubs from their competitions. The conflict has also upended Ukrainian football, forcing clubs to relocate matches and leaving players and staff directly affected by the fighting.

In each case, football authorities have prioritised security and political sensitivity over sporting rivalry, ensuring these charged encounters remain off the calendar for the foreseeable future.