This World Cup unites the Arab world, boosted by the results on the ground in Qatar.
Morocco became the first Muslim country to reach the quarter-finals, and it is the first time that football’s biggest event has taken place in the region.
This is a platform that some officials in Qatar wanted to use to raise awareness about the discrimination faced by Muslims.
Designs were obtained by Sky News for armbands that featured the words “No room for Islamophobia” and featuring a Palestinian headscarf design.
Officials in the World Cup host country have spoken of a plan for captains to wear them with other countries, including Saudi Arabia and Morocco, it seems.
A senior Qatari official told Sky News: “Prior to the start of the tournament, Qatar and some of the other Muslim-majority teams were in advanced discussion 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 it violated FIFA rules and would not be allowed.
“The teams accepted the decision but were disappointed that a significant issue like this, which negatively impacts millions of Muslims around the world, was not given a platform in the first World Cup. organized world in a region with a Muslim majority.”
FIFA said it was not aware of any offers and did not make anyone available for an interview.
A dispute over other armbands dominated the run-up to the World Cup opener last month.
FIFA threatens sanctions if England and Wales joined other Europeans wearing clothes with ‘One Love’ – to subtly draw attention to Qatar’s anti-LGBT laws.
FIFA instead came up with a series of slogans like “No to Discrimination” and vague messages like “Bring the Moves”.
Not having the “No room 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 in 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 armband European nations wanted to wear
But Yazeed, another Muslim fan, said FIFA was right to deny teams the right to choose armband slogans.
“It’s the best way to keep everything focused on the whole sport,” he said.
“Despite the differences that exist in the world, you just have a good time watching the game.
“So if there were distractions, the very purpose of the World Cup would be a little off.
“You’re there for the games, you’re there for the vibe. Leave the politics out of the game.”
