The Saudi flag World Cup protocol drew attention after organisers kept the flag above the pitch because it carries the Shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith.
FIFA World Cup 2026 organisers used a special display arrangement for Saudi Arabia’s national flag before the team’s match.
Standard pre-match protocol often places national flags horizontally on the pitch. The Saudi flag was instead raised and displayed away from the grass.
The decision reflected religious and cultural rules governing the handling of the Saudi flag. The Shahada is written in white Arabic script on the green flag.
Saudi rules treat contact with the ground or trampling as disrespectful because of the religious text on the flag.
The protocol drew praise from social media users who said organisers balanced tournament procedure with cultural and religious respect.
Read: FIFA Announces Saudi Arabia as 2034 World Cup Host
Saudi Arabia later drew 1-1 with Uruguay in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match in Miami. Abdulelah Al-Amri gave Saudi Arabia the lead before Maxi Araujo equalised for Uruguay in the 80th minute. The draw gave both teams one point in Group H.
