Revealed: Why the Saudi Arabian Flag Didn't Touch the Ground at the 2026 World Cup
At the 2026 World Cup, the match between Saudi Arabia and Uruguay at Miami Stadium presented a different sight. The Saudi flag wasn’t spread out on the field like the other participants' flags, but was held by the flag bearer instead. FIFA made this adjustment to respect the protocols of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi flag bears the shahada, which is considered sacred in Islam, so it must not touch the ground or be placed in a disrespectful manner. This rule is also spelled out in Article 14 of the Kingdom's Flag Law, which prohibits the national flag from touching the ground or water.
FIFA's move became a symbol of respect for religious values and national identity. To keep things equal, Uruguay's flag was also held up. The match itself ended in a 1-1 draw.
This moment shows that a global sporting event like the World Cup can be a space to introduce a nation's identity, where modernity and tradition walk side by side.
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