Rising Sun Flag Appears at World Cup, Sparking Controversy Over FIFA's Rules

Rising Sun Flag Appears at World Cup Stadium, Sparking Controversy Over FIFA's Inconsistent Rules
By Qi Dong, The Paper — June 22, 2026

A Rising Sun Flag, symbolizing the lingering ghost of Japanese militarism, fluttered in the stands during the 1,000th match in World Cup history, adding another jarring scene to the USA-Mexico-Canada World Cup.

On June 21 Beijing time, Japan faced Tunisia. During the live broadcast of this match in South Korea, several shots showed Japanese fans raising the Rising Sun Flag in the stands to cheer, causing discomfort and disgust among many Korean viewers.

Professor Seo Kyoung-duk of Sungshin Women's University in South Korea stated: "Using the Rising Sun Flag as a celebratory tool at the World Cup is highly inappropriate, as it evokes memories of the horrors of war for football fans across Asia."

The Rising Sun Flag is the naval ensign of Japan and is widely regarded as a symbol of Japanese militarism and imperialism.

According to FIFA regulations, any items with political, offensive, or discriminatory connotations are banned from entering the stadium. This is not the first time Japanese fans have attempted to bring this flag into the venue. During the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Japanese fans tried to display the Rising Sun Flag inside the stadium, but security personnel immediately intervened and stopped them.

FIFA has taken an ambiguous stance on the Rising Sun Flag, not officially banning it. However, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has explicitly deemed it a violation, and Japan has been fined for its use.