This World Cup is unifying the Arab world, buoyed by results on the pitch in Qatar.
Morocco has become the first Muslim nation to reach the quarterfinals, marking the first time the biggest soccer event has come to the region.
It’s a platform that some officials in Qatar wanted to use to raise awareness about the discrimination Muslims face.
Sky News obtained designs for armbands that featured the words “No place for Islamophobia” and featured a Palestinian bandana pattern.
Officials from the World Cup host nation are understood to have discussed a plan for captains to use them with other countries, including Saudi Arabia and Morocco.
A senior Qatari official told Sky News: “Before the start of the tournament, Qatar and some of the other majority-Muslim teams were in advanced discussions about whether players could wear armbands to raise awareness of the growing Islamophobia movement.”
“When the armband proposal was finally discussed with FIFA, they were told that it violated FIFA rules and would not be allowed.
“The teams accepted the decision, but were disappointed that a major issue like this, which negatively affects millions of Muslims around the world, was not given a platform during the first World Cup to be held in a Muslim-majority region. “.
FIFA said it was not aware of any proposals and did not make anyone available for an interview.
Some Muslim-majority teams discussed the armband
A dispute over other bracelets dominated the build-up to the World Cup opener last month.
FIFA threatened punishment if England and Wales joined other Europeans in wearing “One Love” garments, to subtly draw attention to Qatar’s anti-LGBT laws.
Instead, FIFA proposed a series of slogans like “No discrimination” and vague messages like “Bring the moves.”
Not having the “No place for Islamophobia” armband was a missed opportunity for this World Cup, one man told us.
“I think it’s a very good thing, because what people think about Islam is pretty bad all over the world,” said Yusef, a pilot from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. “So it’s actually a good thing that people change their minds and…it was a perfect idea.”
The One Love bracelet that European nations wanted to wear
But Yazeed, another Muslim fan, thought FIFA was right to deny teams the right to choose armband slogans.
“This is the best way to keep everything focused in the whole sport,” he said.
“Despite the differences that exist in the world, you’re just having fun watching the game.
“So if there were any distractions, the whole purpose of the World Cup would be a bit misguided.
“You’re there for the games, you’re there for the atmosphere. Leave politics out of the game.”
