USMNT Protests Qatar’s Anti-LGBTQ Laws With Rainbow Crest

The U.S. men’s national soccer team is the latest in a group of countries protesting human rights violations and discriminatory laws in World Cup host country Qatar.

On the wall of its practice facility at the Al Gharrafa SC Stadium in Ar-Rayyan, the team has posted a crest with rainbow stripes to protest Qatar’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws. The team usually employs red stripes.

The U.S. men, however, will not be able to wear rainbow crests, as that would prohibit strict FIFA rules that prohibit any show of “political” viewpoints on kits. The governing body said the Danish men’s national team couldn’t wear practice jerseys that said “human rights for all.”

Teams have, however, come up with more creative ways to illustrate their distaste for Qatar’s actions — both its laws and reports that it has mistreated migrant workers. 

The English national team will wear “OneLove” armbands, and the Danish men will wear monochromatic kits that make it difficult to see logos.

Meanwhile, several advocacy groups including LGBTQ+ organizations and human rights organizations have issued statements condemning the host nation.