Why two National Flags never touch the ground before a FIFA match

Football World Cups and international tournaments are filled with traditions that millions of fans watch without ever questioning. The national anthems, the players lined up shoulder to shoulder, children escorting the teams onto the pitch, and the enormous national flags carried by volunteers have become part of the ritual.
Yet there is one fascinating detail that often goes unnoticed.
In almost every international match, the giant national flags are laid flat on the grass while the anthems are played. Dozens of volunteers stretch the fabric across the pitch, creating one of the most iconic images of the pre-match ceremony. Once the anthems are over, they quickly fold the flags and leave the field before kick-off.

Except when two particular national teams are involved.
Whenever Saudi Arabia or Iraq play in FIFA competitions, the ceremony changes. Instead of laying the flags on the ground, volunteers keep them raised and suspended throughout the anthem. Interestingly, the opposing team’s flag is treated exactly the same way.
At first glance, it might seem like a special privilege. In reality, it is a carefully considered gesture of cultural and religious respect.
The reason lies in the designs of the two flags themselves.

Saudi Arabia’s flag features the Shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith, written in Arabic: “There is no god but Allah; Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.” Beneath the inscription appears a white sword, symbolizing justice and strength. Because the Shahada is one of the holiest expressions in Islam, the flag is treated with exceptional reverence. Allowing it to touch the ground, become dirty, or be stepped on would be considered deeply disrespectful.
This is also why the Saudi flag is unique among national flags. It is never flown at half-mast, even during periods of national mourning, because lowering a sacred text would be considered inappropriate. For the same reason, the flag is generally not reproduced on disposable items, clothing, or objects that could end up on the floor.

Iraq’s flag carries a different sacred inscription but follows a similar principle. At its center appears the Arabic phrase “Allahu Akbar” (“God is the Greatest”), known as the Takbir. Although the Iraqi flag has undergone several redesigns over the decades, the religious inscription has remained an important element. Since it contains the name of God, many Muslims believe the flag should never be placed on the ground or exposed to situations that could dishonor the sacred words.

FIFA recognizes these religious sensitivities and adapts its pre-match protocol accordingly.
Rather than creating a different ceremony for only one team, the organization applies the same treatment to both flags. Volunteers hold both national flags aloft throughout the anthems, ensuring that neither nation appears to receive preferential treatment while also avoiding any action that could be interpreted as disrespectful.
It is a subtle but elegant solution.
This adjustment reflects a broader principle that has become increasingly important in international sport. Football brings together countries with vastly different cultures, religions, and traditions. Organizing a tournament that includes more than 200 FIFA member associations means understanding that symbols do not carry the same meaning everywhere.

What appears to be an ordinary piece of fabric in one culture may represent something profoundly sacred in another.
This is not the only time football’s governing bodies have adapted ceremonies to cultural realities. FIFA and continental confederations regularly modify protocols for moments of silence, national anthems, dress requirements, religious observances, and scheduling around important holidays such as Ramadan. These changes rarely attract headlines, but they demonstrate the constant effort required to stage truly global competitions.
The treatment of the Saudi and Iraqi flags has even sparked curiosity among observant fans, many of whom first notice that something is different without immediately understanding why. Once the explanation becomes clear, what seemed like an unusual exception reveals itself as a simple act of mutual respect.
It is also worth noting that neither FIFA’s Laws of the Game nor the official football regulations specifically mention how these flags must be handled. Instead, the practice is part of the event protocol agreed upon with participating associations, ensuring that ceremonies respect national customs while remaining visually consistent for both teams.

The next time you watch a World Cup match or an international fixture featuring Saudi Arabia or Iraq, take a closer look before kick-off.
If you see volunteers holding both giant flags high instead of laying them on the grass, you’re witnessing one of football’s quietest traditions—an almost invisible reminder that the world’s biggest sport is not only about competition, but also about understanding the cultures and beliefs that every team brings onto the pitch.