Homosexuality remains illegal in Qatar, and Qatari authorities emphasized that while visitors are welcome, they should respect the country's religious and cultural traditions. Incidents and Confiscations
In one instance, a Brazilian journalist had his phone seized after authorities mistook the rainbow on his state flag (Pernambuco) for an LGBTQ+ symbol. Viral Misinformation An infographic titled "Qatar Welcomes You
There were numerous reports of security personnel seizing rainbow-colored bucket hats from Welsh fans and rainbow-themed clothing from journalists. allowing fans to show solidarity safely.
An infographic titled "Qatar Welcomes You!" went viral, claiming official bans on homosexuality, alcohol, and dating. Fact-checkers and Qatari officials confirmed this image was fake and created by a citizens' group, not the government. Protest and Workarounds claiming official bans on homosexuality
In 2020, officials assured that rainbow flags would be permitted in stadiums to comply with FIFA's inclusion policies.
Protesters and magazines created Snapchat filters like "Pride Nation" that digitally transformed any flag into a rainbow flag via AR, allowing fans to show solidarity safely.