Football matches banned by FIFA over the years

However, geopolitical tensions and external factors have, at times, overshadowed the game, resulting in the cancellation of specific fixtures to ensure peace among fans and nations. 

Below are four prominent football matchups that have been banned by FIFA due to political disputes:

Spain vs Gibraltar 

Spain and Gibraltar are prohibited from facing each other due to a long-standing territorial dispute between Spain and the United Kingdom over Gibraltar. This conflict dates back to the 18th century when the Treaty of Utrecht granted the UK control over Gibraltar, despite its geographic proximity to Spain.

Armenia vs Azerbaijan 

Matches between Armenia and Azerbaijan are banned due to ongoing ethnic and territorial conflicts over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The violent tensions between these nations have persisted since the late 1980s, making football fixtures between them a security risk.

Kosovo vs Serbia/Russia/Bosnia and Herzegovina 

Kosovo is barred from playing against Serbia, Russia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina due to disputes over its independence. Serbia, supported by Russia and Bosnia, refuses to recognize Kosovo's sovereignty, a conflict that escalated during the Kosovo War in the 1990s.

Russia vs Ukraine 

The ban on Russia and Ukraine's matchups stems from the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The war has heightened political tensions and displaced numerous Ukrainian players and teams, forcing clubs like Shakhtar Donetsk and Dynamo Kyiv to play their home games abroad for safety.

These bans affect not only national teams but also domestic club competitions.