England supporters from Barrow-in-Furness cannot display their World Cup flag inside stadiums because it features a submarine, which FIFA has classified as military imagery.
The governing body rejected the group’s application to show their St George’s Cross at the 2026 World Cup, citing rules that bar flags containing imagery of weapons or military equipment. The flag carries the crest of Barrow AFC alongside a submarine silhouette, a symbol tied to the Cumbrian town’s identity as one of Britain’s foremost centres of submarine construction and shipbuilding.
In its rejection, FIFA told the supporters the item included “imagery of weapons or military (submarine)” and was not permitted under tournament policy. The governing body said it would approve the flag if the supporters covered the submarine and resubmitted their application.
The decision landed as supporter John Little was already travelling to Boston for Tuesday’s Group L match against Ghana. He said he found it difficult to make sense of the ruling alongside his club’s flag. “It’s a little bit harsh that they’ve done it for something like that,” he said, adding that he could understand restrictions on weapons like guns and knives, but not a submarine image linked to a town’s economic history. Little described a widespread reaction of disbelief among other supporters who had heard about the ban. The group said they would follow FIFA’s instructions, cover the submarine, and resubmit in time for the Ghana match.
The Barrow case is the latest in a string of flag disputes that has run through the 2026 World Cup. Earlier in the tournament, FIFA won a court hearing in Los Angeles to block Iranian supporters from displaying the old Lion and Sun flag inside stadiums, with the governing body successfully arguing the symbol constituted a political image. Dutch and Japanese supporters also had flags confiscated at the same venue during their 2-2 draw, after stadium officials ruled they could not be draped over LED advertising boards lining the pitch. England supporters encountered the same restriction during the Three Lions’ 4-2 win over Croatia, with several asked to remove their banners from the boards.
FIFA says the advertising board restriction exists for safety and security reasons. Its fan guide states that small flags are permitted inside stadiums, while anything larger must be approved in advance. FIFA also bans flags that are political, offensive or discriminatory in nature, a category that now, by its own ruling, includes a heritage image from an English town.
England lead Group L after their opening win and face Ghana in Boston on Tuesday, seeking a second successive victory.
