Pre-revolutionary Iranian flags were seen inside Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, United States, during the FIFA World Cup 2026 group-stage match between Qatar and Switzerland on Saturday, despite FIFA's efforts to restrict political symbols at tournament venues. Reports from multiple media outlets indicated that several supporters displayed the flags during the first half of the match, raising questions about the effectiveness of the governing body's enforcement measures.

FIFA's tournament regulations prohibit the display of political, offensive, or discriminatory materials inside stadiums. The guidelines apply to banners, flags, apparel, flyers, and other items carrying messages or symbols that could be interpreted as political statements or expressions targeting individuals or groups based on factors such as nationality, ethnicity, religion, political opinion, gender, or other protected characteristics. The organisation had previously indicated that certain politically sensitive symbols would be subject to these restrictions during the tournament.

The flag in question is Iran's national flag from before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. It features the country's traditional green, white, and red tricolour with a lion and sun emblem at its centre. Following the revolution, Iran adopted a new national flag incorporating an Islamic emblem and Arabic script, reflecting the country's transformation from a monarchy into an Islamic republic. Since then, the older flag has become closely associated with opposition movements and segments of the Iranian diaspora.

Also Read: Brazil 1970 World Cup Defender Brito Dies At 86, Confirms CBF

For many Iranians living abroad, the pre-revolutionary flag serves as a symbol of resistance to the current government. The flag gained significant visibility during the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2024 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar, where supporters frequently displayed it during matches. It has also appeared at demonstrations and public gatherings linked to political developments involving Iran, including events following the Iran-Israel conflict earlier this year.

FIFA and local organisers have previously attempted to limit the presence of the flag at major sporting events. Some supporters reported being prevented from bringing it into stadiums during previous international tournaments. Similar restrictions were expected to be enforced across host venues in the United States, Canada, and Mexico during the 2026 World Cup, but the latest incident suggests that some fans were still able to bring the symbol into match venues.

Meanwhile, Iran's participation in the World Cup had faced uncertainty following regional tensions that emerged earlier this year. Questions surrounding the team's involvement persisted for months before the squad arrived in Mexico ahead of the tournament. The Iranian team trained in Tijuana on Friday and is scheduled to travel to the Los Angeles area for further preparations before its upcoming match against Belgium, as it continues its World Cup campaign amid heightened political attention.

Also Read: ODI World Cup 2027 Expected To Run From Oct 4 To Nov 21 In Africa