Welsh fans received permission to take rainbow-themed bucket hats and flags into the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium during the World Cup Group B match against Iran on Friday.
The hats, created in partnership with the Football Association of Wales (FAW), represent “Rainbow Wall”, the supporters’ group for Wales fans who are members of the LGBTQ community.
Same-sex relationships are illegal in Qatar.
Earlier this week the FAW said it would contact world football governing body FIFA after its staff members and fans were asked to remove and discard the bucket hats before entering the stadium for their opener, a 1-1 draw with the United States on Monday.
“In response to the FAW, FIFA has confirmed that fans with Rainbow Wall bucket hats and rainbow flags will be allowed entry to the stadium for @Cymru’s match against Iran on Friday,” FAW said in a statement.
In response to the FAW, FIFA has confirmed that fans with Rainbow Wall bucket hats and rainbow flags will be allowed entry to the stadium for @Cymru’s match against Iran on Friday.
All World Cup venues have been contacted and instructed to follow the agreed rules & regulations. pic.twitter.com/9XRlx98V6h
— FA WALES (@FAWales) November 24, 2022
Seven European teams at the World Cup ditched plans for their respective captains to wear multi-coloured OneLove armbands to demonstrate support for diversity and inclusion after FIFA threatened to issue yellow cards to any player wearing them.