The Iraq national football team received an exception from the International Football Federation (FIFA) regarding the protocol preceding the matches of the 2026 World Cup. The Iraq Football Association submitted a request to FIFA to avoid placing the Iraqi flag on the ground during the national anthem, in reverence for the phrase 'Allahu Akbar' present in the flag. FIFA approved this request, marking a positive step for the Iraq national football team. This exception was implemented during the match against Norway held at Gillette Stadium in Boston, USA. Members of the organizing committee carried the Iraqi flag while the national anthem was played before the match kicked off. It is noteworthy that Saudi Arabia received a similar exception before their match against Uruguay, reflecting FIFA's approach to respecting different cultures. This step comes contrary to previous reports that indicated FIFA would not accept new exceptions in the 2026 World Cup protocol.