Pride Flags Permanently Banned By MLS For FIFA Club World Cup 2025, “No More Woke Prides” Full story in comment

Pride Flags Permanently Banned By MLS For FIFA Club World Cup 2025, “No More Woke Prides”

Major League Soccer (MLS) has ignited a firestorm of controversy after announcing a permanent ban on Pride flags during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. The decision, which league officials describe as an effort to “maintain a neutral and unified environment,” has been met with swift backlash from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, players, and fans alike. The announcement has turned what was supposed to be a celebration of global soccer into a heated debate over the intersection of sports, identity, and free expression.

Soccer should be about the game, not political or social statements,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber stated in a press release. “Our goal is to create an atmosphere that unites fans from all walks of life, not divides them.”

According to MLS, the decision to ban Pride flags—and potentially other symbolic displays—stems from a desire to create a “neutral playing field” for the highly anticipated international tournament. The league claims that removing such displays will allow fans to focus on the game itself, free from the distractions of sociopolitical messaging.

“We recognize the importance of representation,” Garber continued, “but the FIFA Club World Cup is a global event that transcends any one group or cause. Our decision is about respecting that global diversity.”

However, critics argue that this so-called “neutrality” disproportionately silences marginalized communities. “Calling it neutrality is just a way to avoid saying what it really is: exclusion,” said Sarah Collins, spokesperson for Rainbow Pitch, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group for soccer fans.

The reaction was immediate and impassioned. LGBTQ+ organizations and their allies denounced the ban as regressive and harmful, accusing MLS of bowing to pressure from conservative factions. Social media erupted with hashtags like #PrideInSoccer and #LetTheFlagsFly, with fans around the world expressing their disappointment.