FIFA has celebrated the Gibraltar Football Association’s 10-year membership milestone since officially joining FIFA in 2016, Softfootball reports.
The announcement was shared through FIFA’s official X account and highlighted Gibraltar’s gradual development and integration into international football over the last decade. The recognition also reflected FIFA’s continued focus on expanding football opportunities for smaller footballing nations and associations worldwide.
FIFA shared:
The Gibraltar Football Association (GFA) celebrates 10 years of FIFA membership Over the past decade, @GibraltarFA have progressed steadily through hard work and careful development, gradually establishing their place within world football.
The update follows FIFA recently celebrating Cabo Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan after all four nations secured historic qualification for their first-ever FIFA World Cup appearances in 2026.
FIFA’s latest post also attracted strong reactions online from Iranian users and members of the Iranian diaspora following reports surrounding restrictions on the pre-1979 Lion and Sun flag at the 2026 World Cup.
The controversy centers around FIFA’s stadium regulations concerning political symbols, with some Iranian supporters arguing that the Lion and Sun emblem represents Iran’s historic national identity and opposition to the current regime.
Critics online accused FIFA of unfairly restricting the symbol while still allowing the official national flag associated with the Islamic Republic.
The debate has sparked wider discussions across social media about political symbolism, freedom of expression, and FIFA’s tournament regulations ahead of the expanded 48-team World Cup in North America.
However, Neymar’s inclusion in Brazil national football team’s final 2026 World Cup squad generated huge excitement among fans despite earlier uncertainty surrounding his selection.
Former Real Madrid and Brazil defender Marcelo was seen celebrating emotionally in a viral video reacting to Neymar’s inclusion following the squad announcement by manager Carlo Ancelotti.
