MIAMI,— Saudi Arabia and Iraq will be the only two countries whose flags stay off the ground during pre-match ceremonies at the World Cup, because both flags carry sacred Islamic writing.
At most World Cup games held across the United States, Canada and Mexico, large flags belonging to the two competing nations are spread across each half of the field and laid on the turf while players gather near the center circle for the national anthems.
For Saudi Arabia and Iraq, organizers handle things differently.
Both flags are held upright above the field instead of being placed on the grass, allowing the ceremony to go on while still honoring the religious meaning behind the writing on the cloth.
A FIFA spokesperson explained the change to Reuters, saying the move was part of broader updates made to the opening ceremony format for the 2026 World Cup.
The spokesperson added that FIFA coordinated directly with competing nations to accommodate reasonable requests tied to the presentations.
Saudi Arabia’s flag includes the Shahada, the central statement of Islamic faith, which reads:
“There is no god but Allah; Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.” Iraq’s flag carries the phrase “Allahu akbar,” translated as “God is Greatest.”
Many Muslims view it as disrespectful for such religious text to touch the ground or any surface walked on by people.
(With files from Reuters)
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