rferl.org: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-fifa-lion-sun-flag-ban-world-cup/33761122.html

Speaker: —
Subject: G000359
Source: GDELT news · original
Published: Wednesday, May 20, 2026

FIFA To Ban Pre-Revolutionary Iranian Flag From World Cup Stadiums Accessibility links Skip to main content Skip to main Navigation Skip to Search Next Close Previous Next This image contains sensitive content which some people may find offensive or disturbing. Click to reveal Print Options: Images Multimedia Embedded Content Comments Cancel Print Link has been copied to clipboard MORE To Readers In Russia Russia Russia Tatar-Bashkir North Caucasus Iran Central Asia Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan Turkmenistan Uzbekistan South Asia Afghanistan Pakistan Caucasus Armenia Azerbaijan Georgia Central/SE Europe Bosnia Bulgaria Kosovo Moldova Montenegro North Macedonia Romania Serbia East Europe Belarus Ukraine Visuals Investigations RFE/RL Investigates Schemes Systema Newsletters Wider Europe b

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FIFA To Ban Pre-Revolutionary Iranian Flag From World Cup Stadiums Accessibility links Skip to main content Skip to main Navigation Skip to Search Next Close Previous Next This image contains sensitive content which some people may find offensive or disturbing. Click to reveal Print Options: Images Multimedia Embedded Content Comments Cancel Print Link has been copied to clipboard MORE To Readers In Russia Russia Russia Tatar-Bashkir North Caucasus Iran Central Asia Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan Turkmenistan Uzbekistan South Asia Afghanistan Pakistan Caucasus Armenia Azerbaijan Georgia Central/SE Europe Bosnia Bulgaria Kosovo Moldova Montenegro North Macedonia Romania Serbia East Europe Belarus Ukraine Visuals Investigations RFE/RL Investigates Schemes Systema Newsletters Wider Europe by Rikard Jozwiak The Farda Briefing China In Eurasia by Reid Standish Podcasts Majlis Current Time Share Tips Securely Bypass Blocking About RFE/RL Contact Us Subscribe Follow Us All RFE/RL sites Search All RFE/RL websites Follow RFE/RL on Google Search Previous Next Breaking News Iran FIFA To Ban Pre-Revolutionary Iranian Flag From World Cup Stadiums By RFE/RL's Radio Farda May 20, 2026 17:13 CET FIFA To Ban Pre-Revolutionary Iranian Flag From World Cup Stadiums Share Share Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Email Share Share Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Email Print A demonstrator wearing a pre-1979 Iranian flag with the Lion and Sun emblem attends a rally in support of the Iranian people following the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israeli strike, in Brussels on March 1. The world soccer governing body, FIFA, reportedly plans to again prohibit fans from displaying Iran's pre-revolutionary flag at the 2026 World Cup, renewing a controversy that shadowed the tournament in Qatar four years ago and drawing immediate backlash from the Iranian diaspora and opposition figures. The ban was reported by The Athletic on May 19 after FIFA pointed to its stadium code of conduct, which bars "banners, flags, apparel, and other paraphernalia that are of a political, offensive, and/or discriminatory nature" from venues. Unlike in Qatar, where enforcement was inconsistent, the 2026 ban is expected to be applied as a blanket policy. Members of Iran's national soccer team attend a ceremony ahead of their departure for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in Tehran on May 13. The report said the Iranian soccer federation had submitted a list of demands to FIFA related to the team's participation, including "respect for the Iranian flag," and FIFA described recent talks with Iranian football officials as "excellent" and "constructive." Iranian-born Belgian MP Darya Safai, who has campaigned for years for Iranian women's right to enter sports stadiums, told RFE/RL Radio Farda the ban would not stop diaspora fans. "If you insist, if you sit on your seat and take it up, they cannot do anything. I have always said: This is my real flag, this is my seat,

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