In a bold and highly controversial decision, Major League Soccer (MLS) has announced that it will permanently ban the display of Pride flags at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, citing a commitment to “no more wokeness” in the sport. This move has immediately sent shockwaves through the soccer community, with both passionate support and fierce backlash coming from various corners of the globe. For many, this decision represents a new era in soccer—one that pushes back against the growing trend of “woke” politics in sports, which some feel has come to overshadow the pure essence of the game. However, others see it as a dangerous step backward that undermines years of progress in LGBTQ+ inclusion and rights within the sport.
The move is part of a larger trend of conservative pushback against what has been termed “woke culture” in sports, where organizations and athletes have increasingly used their platforms to advocate for social justice issues such as racial equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and environmental sustainability. For MLS, a league that has often prided itself on its inclusivity, diversity, and progressive policies, the decision to eliminate Pride flags is a radical departure from its previous stances. But the announcement is also part of a broader, more complex cultural conversation about the intersection of politics, sports, and corporate influence—one that is not only reshaping the way fans view the game, but also how soccer clubs and organizations navigate an increasingly polarized world.
A Shift Away from Progressive Values
The decision to permanently ban Pride flags at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is arguably one of the most significant and polarizing moments in recent MLS history. For years, the league has been at the forefront of promoting inclusivity and diversity, with a number of teams flying the rainbow flag in support of LGBTQ+ rights during Pride Month, and many players speaking out on behalf of marginalized communities. This commitment to progressive values has been a defining characteristic of MLS, drawing a more diverse fanbase and establishing the league as a global leader in promoting social justice issues through sport.
However, MLS’s stance on inclusivity and progressive activism has now come under scrutiny, particularly in light of growing political and cultural tensions surrounding the concept of “wokeness” in sports. The backlash against “woke” culture, which is often associated with left-leaning movements focused on racial and gender equity, LGBTQ+ rights, and climate change, has gained significant momentum in recent years. Some critics argue that this shift has politicized sports, with athletes and organizations increasingly expected to take a stand on issues that may alienate a large segment of their fanbase.
MLS’s announcement that it will ban Pride flags at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 has been framed as a rejection of this political trend, with the league positioning itself as a space where soccer is about the game, not the politics. In a statement, MLS commissioner Don Garber explained, “The game of soccer is about bringing people together from all walks of life. While we continue to respect the importance of diversity and inclusion, we believe the focus should be on the game itself, not on symbolic gestures that may divide our fans.” This rhetoric signals a clear pivot away from the more visible demonstrations of political solidarity that have been common in global sports in recent years.
The Backlash: Critics Respond
The response to MLS’s decision has been swift and divisive. LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, including GLAAD and The Trevor Project, have expressed strong condemnation of the league’s move, arguing that it undermines years of progress made in fostering a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQ+ individuals within the world of sports. For many, the Pride flag represents not just a symbol of inclusivity, but also a beacon of hope for marginalized communities who have long felt excluded from mainstream sports culture.
“This decision is a step backward for inclusivity in soccer,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, president and CEO of GLAAD. “The Pride flag has been a powerful symbol of LGBTQ+ acceptance, and its removal from the global stage is a message that sends the wrong signal to millions of LGBTQ+ fans who have supported the game and the league for years.” Many fans and players who identify as LGBTQ+ also voiced their disappointment and hurt, seeing this decision as an erasure of their visibility within the sport they love.
At the same time, many fans and pundits sympathetic to MLS’s move argue that the over-politicization of sports has led to a sense of disillusionment and alienation, especially among those who feel that the sport should remain a neutral space for enjoyment rather than a platform for social and political activism. For these critics, the MLS’s decision to remove the Pride flag is seen as a necessary corrective, a move that places the focus back on the sport itself and away from the growing trend of “identity politics” within the game.
“What’s next, are we going to start banning national flags too?” wrote one fan on social media. “Soccer is meant to unite people through their love of the game, not divide us through political agendas. If we start turning every game into a protest, we’ll lose sight of what truly matters—playing the sport.” Many people who feel alienated by the increasing role of politics in sports have lauded MLS for taking this bold step.
Soccer’s Global Landscape: Navigating Cultural Sensitivities
MLS’s decision also brings to the forefront the tension between global soccer and local political movements. The FIFA Club World Cup is a global event, attracting clubs from various continents with distinct political and cultural sensibilities. Many nations, particularly those in the Middle East and parts of Africa, have more conservative attitudes toward LGBTQ+ rights, and openly displaying Pride symbols may not align with the cultural values or laws of these regions.
By choosing to ban Pride flags, MLS appears to be taking a more diplomatic stance, attempting to respect the cultural differences of nations that host global soccer events. This could be seen as a pragmatic decision, aimed at protecting the league’s global partnerships and expanding its international footprint. The league’s increasing ambition to become a truly global entity—one that appeals to a broad range of cultures and fanbases—might explain its desire to avoid alienating potential markets that have more conservative views on LGBTQ+ rights.
However, this strategy also risks alienating a significant portion of its core fanbase, particularly those in North America and Europe, where LGBTQ+ rights have gained significant traction in recent years. As the sport becomes more globalized, MLS may find itself in a difficult position, caught between the demands of its more liberal, progressive fans and the cultural expectations of its global partners.
The Future of Soccer and “Wokeness”
The decision to ban Pride flags for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 raises important questions about the future of sports, particularly in the realm of global soccer. Are sports organizations moving away from political activism and returning to a purer, less politically charged version of the game? Or is this just a temporary shift in response to growing backlash, one that will eventually give way to more inclusive, progressive policies as societal norms continue to evolve?
For now, it seems that MLS is positioning itself as part of a broader cultural movement to push back against what some see as the excesses of “woke” culture. By removing the Pride flag from the FIFA Club World Cup, MLS is signaling a rejection of what it perceives as the politicization of sports. The question remains whether this decision will resonate with fans or lead to further divisions within the soccer community.
As the sport continues to evolve, the impact of this decision will be closely watched by other leagues, players, and fans. The growing debate over the role of politics in sports—particularly when it comes to issues of identity, race, gender, and LGBTQ+ rights—will undoubtedly continue to shape the future of soccer and its relationship with its diverse global audience.
In the end, what this decision truly represents is a moment of reckoning for the sports world, where the lines between entertainment, politics, and culture continue to blur. Whether this is the beginning of a larger trend in sports or simply a brief moment in time, the repercussions of MLS’s ban on Pride flags are sure to be felt for years to come, and it will undoubtedly be a topic of intense debate as the sport continues to navigate its path in an increasingly polarized world.
