EFL Club Reacts as Fans Banned From Taking England Flag Into World Cup Stadiums

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A group of baffled England fans were banned from taking their St George's flag into Dallas Stadium for the Three Lions' match against Croatia.

Thomas Tuchel's side kickstarted their campaign with an impressive victory over Croatia on Wednesday. Harry Kane (2), Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford were all on the scoresheet as England won 4-2.

A group of AFC Barrow supporters have made the trip to North America to cheer the Three Lions on in their attempt to become world champions for the first time since 1966.

However, their request to bring their St George's flag into stadiums has been turned down by FIFA.

A large number of England fans bring with them a St George's flag with their favourite club team's crest on it, when they watch the national team play.

A group of Barrow fans followed that trend. They included the club badge and an additional silhouette of a submarine, which is synonymous with the Cumbrian town, on their flag.

However, they were left baffled when FIFA banned them from bringing the flag with them into Dallas Stadium for the match against Croatia.

When the group of Barrow fans sought permission to take the flag to matches, FIFA turned the request down, saying military or weaponry images were not allowed.

FIFA told the group they can cover up the submarine and resubmit the application. In their response to the request, FIFA said, per the BBC: "The application was rejected because the item includes imagery of weapons or military (submarine).

"These are not permitted under FIFA policy. We would be happy to approve, if you were willing and able to submit again with the imagery covered up."

John Little, one of the Barrow fans, slammed the decision. He said: "It's not like you can go down to the local Walmart and buy a submarine is it.

"I couldn't believe it really, it's a little bit harsh that they've done it for something like that. could understand like guns and knives and what have you, but not a submarine. People are just saying how ridiculous it is that they're not allowing the flag."

Barrow, who will not play in the Football League next season after finishing rock bottom of League Two in 2025/26, responded to the news on social media.

Taking to X, they joked that they were temporarily changing their crest so the submarine was blurred out. Alongside the photoshopped badge, they wrote:

In order to make sure our supporter John Little can represent the Bluebirds over in Boston properly, we'd like to unveil our new *temporary club badge for the duration of the World Cup... @FIFAcom let us know if the Arrow has to go too..."

England face Ghana in their second group match on Tuesday. It has been revealed that England's players will shake hands with former Arsenal ace Thomas Partey ahead of the game.