Lahore (Sports Desk): During the FIFA World Cup 2026, a unique arrangement was made for the national flag of Saudi Arabia, under which the flag of the Saudi national football team was not placed on the ground like other participating nations, but instead displayed at a higher position.
Normally, in FIFA pre-match protocols, flags of participating countries are laid out on the ground in the field; however, a different approach was adopted for this occasion, which attracted global attention.
The primary reason for this arrangement is the presence of the declaration of faith (Kalima Tayyaba) on the Saudi flag, which is considered a symbol of Islamic belief and is given special respect.
According to Saudi laws and religious traditions, placing the national flag on the ground or disrespecting it is strictly discouraged.
Taking this sensitivity into account, the tournament organizers decided to display the flag at an elevated and designated position instead of placing it on the ground, in order to preserve its sanctity and respect.