FIFA has banned fans from bringing pre-revolutionary Iranian flags and symbols into World Cup stadiums ahead of the 2026 tournament, a move already generating backlash among Iranian dissidents and expatriates expected to attend matches across the United States.
According to The Athletic, FIFA ruled that flags and apparel featuring Iran’s pre-1979 revolutionary imagery, including the Lion and Sun emblem commonly used by opponents of the Islamic Republic, will not be permitted inside tournament venues because the items violate FIFA’s prohibition on “political, offensive and/or discriminatory” messaging.
The controversy comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions surrounding Iran’s participation in the tournament itself. Following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by the United States during the ongoing conflict between the two countries, Iranian officials reportedly suggested it would be “not possible” for the national team to participate in the World Cup hosted across North America. Iran later reversed course and confirmed it would attend.
Iran’s pre-1979 revolutionary flag has been used at anti-regime protests across the US since the war began.
Iran is scheduled to compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 through July 19. The Iranian national team is slated to play all three of its group-stage matches in the United States, including games in California and Washington state. Iran is scheduled to face New Zealand in Inglewood, California, on June 15, Belgium on June 21, and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
NEW: Iran will be playing in a World Cup match in Seattle
The monorail columns were decorated with flags of countries that are playing, including the IRGC flag, the Ayatollah's regime.
The flag has been repeatedly vandalized it but it appears the city has given up repairing it pic.twitter.com/2GS1ot2sp8
— Ari Hoffman (@thehoffather) May 8, 2026
In Seattle, flags of the countries participating in the World Cup were painted on the columns of the monorail. However, the regime’s flag has been vandalized several times and then repaired.
NEW: Seattle has repaired the Iranian flag of the Ayatollah's regime on the monorail column for the World Cup which has been repeatedly vandalized
They dont clean graffiti but they make sure the IRGC's flag is in top shape pic.twitter.com/fITaA8gsk8
— Ari Hoffman (@thehoffather) May 20, 2026
The issue is also likely to intensify scrutiny surrounding Seattle’s June 26 World Cup match between Iran and Egypt, which local organizers previously designated a “Pride Match” to coincide with Seattle Pride weekend. The designation was created before tournament organizers knew which countries would ultimately play in the fixture.
SeattleFWC26, the city’s local organizing committee, has said the Pride Match branding is a local initiative “not affiliated with or endorsed by FIFA.” Organizers have partnered with artists across Washington state to create LGBTQ-themed public artwork and established a Pride Match Advisory Committee to oversee related events and messaging.
The matchup has generated controversy because both Iran and Egypt criminalize or aggressively prosecute same-sex relationships. In Iran, homosexuality can carry the death penalty, while Egyptian authorities routinely target LGBTQ individuals under morality and “debauchery” laws.
