UPDATE, Friday, June 30: FIFA has officially confirmed the rules regarding the armbands that team captains can wear at the Women’s World Cup. One of the designs includes rainbow colors, but FIFA has made it clear that it is different from the pride design worn by some teams in previous years. This article has been updated to reflect the approved slogans and designs.
FIFA has made a significant change in its policy for this year’s Women’s World Cup. In contrast to the men’s World Cup in Qatar last year, where a similar rainbow-colored armband was prohibited, teams will now be allowed to wear armbands that promote inclusivity.
Previously, FIFA threatened teams and their captains with severe punishments if they attempted to make a pre-planned anti-discrimination statement at the start of the World Cup. This caused tensions between FIFA and several nations. However, after months of discussions between FIFA and national federations that support players highlighting important causes during the tournament, FIFA has sent a letter outlining the armband rules for the 32 participating teams.
The national soccer federations received the letter on Friday, coinciding with FIFA’s announcement of its plans on social media.
The newly reached agreement will allow captains of teams that wish to promote inclusivity to wear armbands with rainbow colors during matches. The rainbow-colored design, which is reminiscent of the banned One Love version in Qatar, intentionally differs from the well-known flag symbolizing LGBTQ pride.
FIFA will give individual nations the discretion to decide whether or not to wear the rainbow armband. Additionally, captains and teams that choose not to participate in this message will have the option to wear a solid blue armband with other social justice words and phrases, or a neutral FIFA armband with the message “Football Unites the World.”
During the later rounds of the tournament, FIFA and the national teams will promote additional themes beyond inclusivity, including gender equality, peace, education, and violence against women. The co-host, Australia, successfully pushed for an armband that highlights the rights of Indigenous citizens, which was also approved.
Reaching a consensus on armbands has not been easy. At one point, it seemed that the rainbow armbands favored by supporters of the inclusivity campaign would not be allowed. As recently as March, a German official revealed that FIFA had directly informed her team that their rainbow armbands, worn for years, would not be permitted at the Women’s World Cup.
Numerous players from Women’s World Cup teams have expressed their intention to show support for the LGBTQ community during the tournament. Some teams already wear rainbow armbands in many matches, and others have used armbands and wristbands to bring attention to issues such as sexual abuse, gender equality, and gun control.
FIFA appears to be keen on resolving the armband issue after facing backlash, public protests, and online criticism for prohibiting rainbow armbands in Qatar, a country where homosexuality is illegal.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino acknowledged the learning process during the armband discussions and expressed a commitment to dialogue with all parties involved in order to find a positive way to express their values without causing harm. He predicted that a solution will be reached well before the Women’s World Cup, which begins on July 20.
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