[Photo provided by Professor Seo Kyoung-duk's team]
[Photo provided by Professor Seo Kyoung-duk's team]

The appearance of Japan's rising sun flag at a 2026 FIFA World Cup venue has sparked controversy, with British media highlighting a potential violation of FIFA regulations.

British outlet Sports Bible reported Wednesday that criticism was mounting in South Korea, China and other Asian countries after a Japanese supporter was spotted displaying the rising sun flag during Japan's match against Tunisia at the 2026 North America World Cup.

The outlet noted that FIFA had banned flags, banners and slogans with political intent or the potential to cause discrimination and offense at tournament venues, raising the possibility that the incident could constitute a rules violation.

The flag appeared during Japan and Tunisia's second Group F match, held June 21 at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico. The game drew additional attention as the 1,000th match in World Cup history, but the rising sun flag spotted in the stands became the center of controversy.

Live broadcast footage clearly captured a spectator in the Japanese supporters' section holding the flag.

The rising sun flag was used by Japan as a military banner during the Pacific War and its invasions of other Asian nations, and is widely regarded as a symbol of Japanese militarism and imperialism.

Sports Bible described the flag as one "used when Japan invaded Asia-Pacific countries including Korea, China and the Philippines before and during World War II," adding that it "evokes historical trauma and suffering for Asian nations."

This is not the first time the issue has arisen. The rising sun flag has drawn objections on multiple occasions at international sporting events, including the World Cup, the World Baseball Classic and the Olympics.

The outlet also recalled an incident at the 2022 Qatar World Cup in which stadium security stopped a Japanese supporter who was attempting to display the flag.

Sports Bible also cited Seo Kyoung-duk, a professor at Sungshin Women's University, who said he planned to file a complaint with FIFA over the flag's appearance in the second match before Japan's third group game, calling for measures to prevent a recurrence.

After news of the planned FIFA complaint spread, some Japanese internet users reportedly left protest comments on Seo's social media accounts, fueling an online dispute.

Debate over the use of symbols with political or historical connotations continues in international sports. With FIFA maintaining restrictions on political expression at venues, attention is focused on how the governing body will rule on the matter.


rainbow@heraldcorp.com