U.S. Group Plans Lawsuit to Block FIFA's 2026 Iran Flag Ban

4 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 26

Institute for Voices of Liberty said it will sue FIFA after the body ignored a three-day demand to reverse a planned ban on Iran’s pre-1979 Lion and Sun flag at 2026 World Cup stadiums.
FIFA has defended the restriction under its Stadium Code of Conduct, which bars items deemed political or offensive, but challengers argue that enforcing the ban in the United States violates First Amendment protections.
The dispute is likely to sharpen before Iran’s June 15 opener against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, where large numbers of Iranian-American dissidents are expected to attend.
The Lion and Sun flag, banned by Tehran after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, remains a symbol of opposition to Iran’s ruling regime, reviving tensions seen at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Will US courts force FIFA to allow a banned Iranian dissident flag at the 2026 World Cup?

FIFA claims neutrality but allows some political flags. Is its World Cup flag ban a double standard?