Is Watching FIFA World Cup Permissible in Islam?

Learn the Islamic ruling on watching FIFA World Cup matches according to the Qur'an, Sunnah, and the verdicts of contemporary Salafi scholars.

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is His slave and Messenger.

Watching football matches and international tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup is not a simple matter. The ruling depends on what accompanies these events and the effects they have on the viewer.

In reality, major football tournaments commonly include numerous prohibited matters, such as gambling and betting, uncovering of the 'awrah, free mixing between men and women, musical entertainment, fanaticism for teams and nations, neglect of obligatory duties, and wasting large amounts of time in matters that bring little or no benefit in one's religion or worldly affairs.

Allah said:

"O you who have believed, indeed intoxicants, gambling, sacrificing on stone altars, and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Shaytan, so avoid it that you may be successful."

Qur'an, Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:90

Many World Cup tournaments are accompanied by widespread betting and gambling activities. Even if a particular viewer does not participate, these competitions are often heavily connected to industries and practices that Allah has prohibited.

Allah said:

"By time. Indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who believe, do righteous deeds, encourage one another to the truth, and encourage one another to patience."

Qur'an, Surah Al-'Asr 103:1-3

The believer is commanded to preserve his time and spend it in what benefits him in this world and the Hereafter. Hours spent following tournaments, news, analyses, transfers, and player rivalries can easily become a major distraction from beneficial knowledge and righteous deeds.

The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta' said:

"Football matches that are played for money and prizes are prohibited because they come under the heading of gambling. Based on that, attending such matches is prohibited, and watching them is also prohibited for one who knows that they are being played for prizes, because attending or watching them implies approval of them. However, if a match is not played for prizes, does not distract from obligatory duties such as prayer, and does not involve prohibited matters such as uncovering of the 'awrah, free mixing, or musical instruments, then there is nothing wrong with playing or watching it."

Fatawa al-Lajnah ad-Da'imah, 15/238

This fatwa establishes an important principle: the prohibition is connected to the unlawful matters that accompany these events. If those prohibited elements are present, then watching becomes impermissible.

Shaykh Ibn Jibreen (رحمه الله) said:

"It is not permissible to watch football matches, as the players are usually not dressed properly and some of the thighs show, or the 'awrah may be outlined by the clothes, and that is a source of temptation. If the aim is relaxation, then it may be achieved through remembrance of Allah, recitation of the Qur'an, and reading beneficial Islamic knowledge."

Fatawa Shaykh Ibn Jibreen

One of the most common issues in modern football is the uncovering of the thigh. Many scholars from Ahlus-Sunnah hold that the thigh is part of the male 'awrah, and even according to those who differed, exposing it remains a cause of fitnah and is not appropriate.

Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih al-'Uthaymin (رحمه الله) said:

"What I think is that watching matches shown on television is a waste of time. A wise person would not spend his valuable time on something that brings no real benefit. If additional prohibited matters accompany it, such as glorifying disbelieving players or looking at what may lead to temptation, then it becomes even more serious and may become clearly prohibited."

Liqa' al-Bab al-Maftuh

Another concern is the excessive admiration that many people develop for famous players, including non-Muslims whose beliefs and lifestyles are contrary to Islam. Some Muslims know more about football stars than they know about the Companions, scholars, and righteous people of the Ummah.

Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

"Be keen on that which benefits you, seek help from Allah, and do not become helpless."

Sahih Muslim, 2664

The Muslim is encouraged to pursue what benefits him. Entertainment is not prohibited in itself, but when it becomes excessive, causes neglect of obligations, or involves unlawful matters, it becomes blameworthy.

Therefore, watching FIFA World Cup matches in their current form should generally be avoided because they commonly include numerous prohibited matters such as uncovering of the 'awrah, music, gambling culture, free mixing, excessive attachment to players and teams, and wasting valuable time.

However, if a person were to watch a match that was genuinely free of these prohibited matters, did not lead to neglect of prayer or obligations, and did not involve any unlawful viewing or conduct, then the specific reasons for prohibition would not be present. Nevertheless, the believer should always ask whether this use of his time is among the things most beloved to Allah and most beneficial for his Hereafter.

The Muslim should strive to fill his time with the Qur'an, remembrance of Allah, beneficial knowledge, righteous deeds, family responsibilities, and matters that bring benefit in both worlds.

And Allah knows best.