In the opening round of the 2026 World Cup group stage, Saudi Arabia played against Uruguay, highlighting an unusual moment concerning the Saudi flag. Before the match commenced, the flag was notably absent from its customary place on the ground.
Details: The reason for this unusual display is that the Saudi flag must always remain raised. This is due to the presence of the Shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith, which is regarded as the holiest phrase in Islam. To honor its religious significance, the flag is not permitted to touch the ground or water.
Additionally, the officiating team for the match wore pink kits, designed as a tribute to the host city of Miami. This design choice draws inspiration from the region’s historic flamingo population, its iconic pink sunsets, and the famous pink Art Deco architecture.
Uruguay faced Saudi Arabia in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the South American side’s goalkeeper etched his name into the history books.