FIFA to ban pre-revolutionary Iran flag at World Cup - Athletic

FIFA plans to again prohibit fans from bringing pre-revolutionary Iranian flags and related apparel into World Cup stadiums, The Athletic reported.

The flag, featuring the lion and sun emblem used before the 1979 revolution, is widely displayed by members of the Iranian diaspora as a symbol of identity and protest against Iran’s government.

When asked by The Athletic whether the flags or related apparel would be allowed at venues during the 2026 tournament, FIFA responded by referring to its stadium code of conduct banning political or discriminatory materials.

During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, fans carrying the flag or anti-government messages were blocked from entering some stadiums.