Harry Kane set to defy FIFA in World Cup opening against Iran

FIFA have launched their own separate armband campaign ahead of the tournament

Harry Kane will defy FIFA and risk punishment by wearing a One Love armband on Monday in England's World Cup opener against Iran.

It comes after FIFA tried to outflank the FA's One Love campaign by announcing their own official armband slogan campaign.

The issue of captains' armbands has been contentious ever since eight UEFA nations, including Germany, Denmark, Wales and the Netherlands, announced they would wear One Love armbands as a sign of their commitment to gay rights and in support of human rights.

Qatar's human rights record having been under intense scrutiny since it was awarded the tournament in 2010. The country has faced huge criticism in particular for its stance on same-sex relationships and treatment of migrant workers.

FIFA launched their own armband initiative on Saturday, with captains in the first round instructed to wear an armband with the slogan #FootballUnitesTheWorld.

World football's governing body is therefore likely to fine nations who take part in their own separate campaigns. But they will surely be aware of how bad it will look if they fine players or football associations over the issue.

The FA have said that they respect FIFA's initiative but both them and Wales FA have insisted they will stick with their plan to wear One Love armbands, the Mail reports.

A release from FIFA issued on Saturday morning confirmed it was partnering with the United Nations agencies throughout the tournament. This will see a different campaign for each round.

https://twitter.com/stevescott_itv/status/1593873557678874625

The campaigns running through the tournament will be #FootbalUnitesTheWorld during the first round of matches, #SaveThePlanet during the second, and to wrap up the group-stages it will be #ProtectChildren #ShareTheMeal.

The last-16 will be #EducationForAll and #FootballForSchools while the quarter-finals will be #NoDiscrimination.

The semi-finals will be promoting #BeActive and #BringTheMoves while the World Cup final will be Football Is Joy, Passion, Hope, Love and Peace - #FootballUnitesTheWorld.

Related links:

• Gianni Infantino says European countries should apologise to Qatar ‘for the next 3,000 years’
• Qatar bans all alcohol at the World Cup
• Budweiser deletes response to World Cup alcohol stadium ban