FIFA, Institute for Voices of Liberty, Iran
25 May 2026
FIFA has been threatened with legal action in the United States over reported plans to ban the pre-revolutionary Iran flag at World Cup venues. The Institute for Voices of Liberty has demanded written assurances from football’s governing body.
The group argues the flag is protected symbolic speech in California and the wider United States. FIFA’s venue guidance reportedly treats the flag as political, while Iran’s federation has pushed for respect of its official national flag.