Why Saudi Arabia’s flag is not allowed to be placed on the floor at the World Cup

The exception to the rule

Few moments at the FIFA World Cup highlight the connection between the nations quite like the build-up before the game starts.

As players step out on the pitch, the display of flags and the sound of national anthems create a shared pause in the action, turning the match into something bigger than sport and underscoring the tournament’s global identity.

At this year’s competition, FIFA has placed an even stronger focus on presentation and symbolism by extending the pre-match routines, with large scale flag displays and all players now positioned together in the center circle during the anthem, creating a more unified and visually striking ceremony.

According to FIFA, this is done to deliver a “unique, immersive experience” that reaches every spectator in the stadium, ensuring that the atmosphere, emotion and sense of occasion can be fully felt from any seat.

In most games, the pre-match ceremony includes placing each nation’s flag directly on the grass, which is something that the viewers have come to expect as part of the tournament’s visual presentation.

This is why it’s more noticeable when it does not happen and why fans were especially confused when they saw that Saudi Arabia’s flag was the only one who wasn’t placed directly on the pitch. 

This immediately sparked questions, with many wondering what the reason for the exception was.

The surprising explanation for why Saudi Arabia’s flag isn’t on the pitch

As you might guess, the reason behind this is religious in nature. The Saudi Arabian flag carries the Shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith, which reads: “I bear witness that there is no god but God, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of God.” The inscription is one of the core tenets of Islam. Beneath the text sits a sword, symbolising the strength and unity of the kingdom.

Because of these elements, the flag is regarded as a sacred symbol and as a result, there are strict guidelines governing how it can be displayed. 

According to these guidelines, the flag can’t be lowered or handled in a way that could be seen as disrespectful, and it is prohibited from touching the ground or being placed beneath anything else.

This is why, unlike other nations whose flags may be used more freely in celebrations or stadium displays, Saudi Arabia’s flag is treated with a higher level or reverence, making its use on the pitch more restricted.

A compromise for both sides

To ensure that the ceremony can continue in a way that respects cultural sensitivities, Saudi Arabia and FIFA reached a compromise that would adjust the format instead of removing the visual element entirely.

The compromise is that, in matches involving Saudi Arabia, the national flag is not placed on the pitch but it is carried by a group of volunteers so that it never comes in contact with the grass.

To keep the presentation visually consistent though and to avoid drawing attention to a single team, FIFA has decided to extend the same arrangement to the other team playing as well, so that both flags are being held rather than laid out.