Why weren't the giant flags laid on the pitch? FIFA had to alter the ceremony due to a sacred text

As part of the new format, large flags of both nations are unfurled on the pitch before kickoff. However, in Miami, the Saudi Arabian flag was not laid on the ground; carriers held it aloft throughout the entire ceremony.

Similarly, the Uruguayan flag was also kept raised to maintain symmetry. The aforementioned declaration reads: “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger,” and is considered sacred.

FIFA introduced a new pre-match format across the entire tournament. This includes large flags, joint singing of national anthems by both teams, and handshakes after their conclusion.

The goal is to enhance the atmosphere and increase fan engagement. In some matches, the new ceremony has also caused minor kickoff delays, as it takes longer than traditional pre-match procedures, according to Turkish media reports.