England captain Harry Kane could put himself in line for a World Cup ban if the FA attempt to call FIFA's bluff on the One Love armband.
Kane has made it clear that England - as well as several other national sides competing in Qatar - want to wear the armband in a show of support for the LGBTQ+ community. However, there is now some uncertainty over what will happen amid fears that any player wearing the armband could start games with a yellow card for a breach of rules - something which England will have known before travelling to Qatar.
The tournament rules also state that any player booked twice in the group stage will be banned for the following game. This would mean that, were he to pick up the punishment in both of England's first two games, Kane might be forced to sit out the fixture against Wales on November 29.
"I feel we've made it clear as a team, as a staff and as an organisation that we want to wear the armband," Kane said on Sunday. "I know the FA are talking to FIFA at the moment.
"I'm sure by game time tomorrow [Monday] they'll have their decision. We've made it clear that we want to wear it."
National team boss Southgate echoed the captain's statement. "There's nothing I can add to what Harry has said, I know there are conversations going on, I think a number of European countries have spoken, we've made our position clear, hopefully, everything will be resolved before the game," he said.
The FA had been understood to be willing to accept a significant fine, were that to be the only punishment for the gesture. However, in the lead-up to the opener against Iran, they are said to be seeking clarity from FIFA when it comes to whether or not a booking will be automatic.
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Away from the armband discussion, Southgate confirmed his players will take the knee ahead of the match against Iran, with further group matches to follow against the United States and Wales before the end of November. "We have discussed taking a knee. We feel we should," the manager said in advance of the game at the Khalifa International Stadium.
"It's what we stand for as a team and have done for a long period of time. We understand in the Premier League that the clubs have decided to only do that for certain games, big occasions.
"We feel this is the biggest and we think it's a strong statement that will go around the world for young people, in particular, to see that inclusivity is very important."
