World Cup 2026: Palestinian flags become a target at US-based games

The Palestinian flag has become one of the most visible, and most targeted, symbols at World Cup games held in the United States.

Several supporters carrying them at matches have told Middle East Eye that they have been stopped by security as they entered venues and instructed to either remove them or risk having them confiscated, despite Fifa regulations allowing national flags inside stadiums.

The incidents have unfolded alongside widespread displays of solidarity from supporters of Arab teams, with Palestinian flags appearing throughout the stands even though Palestine is not competing in the tournament.

For many pro-Palestine activists, the confrontations reflect what they describe as growing scrutiny of Palestinian identity in public spaces, even as support for the Palestinian cause has become increasingly visible.

As the tournament heads towards Sunday’s final, it remains unclear whether authorities will allow Palestinian flags to be on display at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. It’s also unclear whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted for war crimes committed in Gaza, will attend.

Maisa Morrar, a Palestinian-American organiser from Oakland, said Fifa bears responsibility for the confrontations between security guards and fans. She argued that the governing body’s messaging ahead of the tournament over whether Palestinian flags would be permitted helped create confusion and emboldened security staff to challenge supporters displaying them.

“We were seeing reports like: ‘Fifa is allowing for the Palestine flag to be in the stadiums,’ and at first I was like, ‘Why was that even a question?’,” she said.

“People bring their flags to these World Cup games all the time, so it was odd to me that there was a question as to whether Palestine would be able to raise their flag or not.”

For some supporters, those concerns quickly became reality.

Omar Dreidi, a Palestinian American from southern California, said he was approached by security while attending a match at Levis Stadium and was told “you can’t display the Palestinian flag.”

“Luckily for me, I was involved with the Fifa Masters, I have friends in Fifa and understand the Fifa statutes,” Dreidi told MEE. “I also work as an NBA player agent, so I know what is and isn’t allowed.”

In a now viral video which Dreidi posted on X, he could be seen wearing a Palestinian flag draped around his shoulders while recounting the confrontation moments after they occurred.

“If you’re going to make me take down my Palestinian flag, then make that person take off their keffiyeh,” he could be heard saying in the video while pointing towards another supporter who had intervened in his defence.

After a lengthy exchange, Dreidi said the security guard consulted colleagues over his radio before returning and informing him that he could keep the flag.

“When he told me, ‘You’re good to keep the flag,’ he came back to me and said, ‘You can chill now,’ and I was like, ‘You were the one who came and harassed me’.”

Dreidi said the encounter quickly drew the attention of nearby spectators.

“There were two Algerian guys sitting behind me and they got involved, and then a lady a couple rows behind who also started to record – people were doing something which is beautiful. It shows acts of solidarity and pride and love and I was really grateful for those two guys.”

After posting about the incident online, Dreidi said he heard from numerous supporters describing similar encounters.

“I actually got a lot of messages from people that were at the game that said their flag was confiscated. I felt bad because I wish they knew their rights.”

He said supporters should familiarise themselves with tournament regulations and document interactions with security staff where possible.

“I really want fans to know that they can go and fly the Palestine flag, and that’s their right, and if they need support they can contact me. I am in contact with people at Fifa’s legal team.”

Middle East Eye reached out to Fifa for comment but did not receive a response by time of publication.

A symbol of solidarity

The incidents have also unfolded against the backdrop of a tournament that has attracted criticism on multiple fronts.

While Fifa has promoted the World Cup as a celebration of football and international unity, campaigners have accused the governing body of failing to uphold those same principles when confronted with issues of war, human rights and political expression.

Critics have pointed to what they describe as Fifa’s inconsistent approach to global conflicts.

Russia was suspended from international football within days of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, yet repeated calls from the Palestine Football Association and human rights advocates to suspend Israel over its genocidal war on Gaza have not resulted in similar action.

The governing body has also faced renewed scrutiny over its close relationship with US President Donald Trump, who has made several appearances at tournament events, prompting concern among rights groups over Fifa’s willingness to align itself with political leaders accused of undermining international law and civil liberties.

For Palestinian supporters, those broader controversies have made the disputes over flags inside stadiums feel less like isolated incidents and more like part of a wider pattern.

‘Everywhere we’ve gone, people have been so receptive to the flag and I think a large part of that has to do with the genocide’

– Maisa Morrar, Palestinian-American organiser

For Dreidi, however, the tournament also demonstrated football’s ability to unite supporters across national and political divides.

“We have many problems with Fifa, the peace prize for Trump, the way they allow Israel to play, we have a lot of problems – but put that aside for a second. The World Cup is a really unique sporting event because it brings people together. I see the pride and the joy it brings in people,” he said.

Asked what message he hopes people take from seeing Palestinian flags inside stadiums, Dreidi said it is ultimately about equality and inclusion.

“I just want everybody to know that the Palestinian flag, like any other nation in the world, is allowed in stadiums, we’re allowed to wear our jerseys, we’re allowed to fly our flag high, and be prideful. I knew that going in.”

For Morrar, attending the tournament was about much more than football.

“It felt important for me to be there in this very historic time – to be in a really major US-based stadium, and then to see it packed with keffiyehs and flags for Palestine, Jordan and Algeria. It felt really important for me to go and see the camaraderie and the solidarity, not just for the games but also for us as Palestinians.”

She said supporters from different countries repeatedly approached her to express solidarity, ask to hold her Palestinian flag and chant in support of Palestine.

“Everywhere we’ve gone, people have been so receptive to the flag and I think a large part of that has to do with the genocide.

“The message I’ve fully received and witnessed is that the people are really standing with Palestine and that at the end of the day it’s always about people’s struggles and their liberation.”