Independent: FIFA has banned the use of the pre-revolution Iranian flag at the 2026 World Cup.

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-Saturday 2026/05/23 - 16:23
News Code:25047
ایندیپندنت:‌ فیفا استفاده از پرچم پیش از انقلاب را در جام جهانی ۲۰۲۶ ممنوع کرد

FIFA intends to ban the display of Iran’s pre-revolution flag during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.
 

FIFA intends to ban the display of Iran’s pre-revolution flag during the 2026 World Cup in the United States, a decision that had previously been implemented at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

According to the British newspaper *The Independent*, the flag, known for its “Lion and Sun” emblem, has in recent years been used by some Iranian opponents of the Islamic Republic in the United States and elsewhere as a symbol of protest against Iran’s current government.

Iran’s official flag was changed after the 1979 Revolution, replacing the Lion and Sun emblem with the symbol of the Islamic Republic and religious inscriptions—a change that observers say reflected Iran’s transition from a monarchy to a religious government.

The Independent, citing *The Athletic*, reported that FIFA plans to ban the entry of this flag and similar symbols into stadiums in the United States, just as it did during the World Cup in Qatar, although some fans managed to bring the flag into stadiums covertly during the 2022 tournament.

The report comes as Iran’s national football team is scheduled to participate in this summer’s World Cup in the United States despite ongoing tensions and disputes between Tehran and Washington. Iran is set to play two matches in Los Angeles and one match in Seattle.

According to the report, FIFA will, however, allow Palestinian flags into stadiums because the Palestinian flag belongs to an official FIFA member, whereas Iran’s pre-revolution flag is not recognized by the Islamic Republic.

The Independent also referred to FIFA’s official regulations, under which any symbols, flags, or items deemed political, offensive, or discriminatory may be prohibited.

According to the tournament schedule, Iran will play:

* June 15, 2026, in Los Angeles against New Zealand
* June 21, 2026, against Belgium
* June 26, 2026, in Seattle against Egypt

The report also notes that, under a specific scenario, Iran and the United States could face each other in the knockout stage if both teams finish second in their respective groups.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will begin on June 11, 2026.
 

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