Germany's players covered their mouths for their pre-match team photo against Japan in an apparent protest against FIFA's stance on the wearing of 'One Love' armbands.
Hansi Flick's side were one of seven nations who were initially planning to make the gesture, which aimed to show solidarity to the LGBTQ+ community. Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar.
However, those seven nations, which include Wales, have backed down under threat of sanctions from the game's governing body, who suggested players wearing the armband could receive an automatic booking.
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Ahead of their opening game, Germany's players appeared to send out a response to FIFA and their decision, covering their mouths in a gesture suggesting they feel they've been silenced by the game's authorities.
Taking to Twitter, the German FA wrote in wake of the protest: "We wanted to use our captain’s armband to take a stand for values that we hold in the Germany national team: diversity and mutual respect. Together with other nations, we wanted our voice to be heard.
"It wasn’t about making a political statement – human rights are non-negotiable. That should be taken for granted, but it still isn’t the case. That’s why this message is so important to us. Denying us the armband is the same as denying us a voice. We stand by our position."
Eagle-eyed fans had thought captain Manuel Neuer had decided to wear the armband anyway. But, after apparently being checked by officials, it emerged he had instead decided to don one emblazoned with FIFA's 'No Discrimination' message.
England and Wales have also been critical of FIFA's position on the issue, with Rob Page's men choosing to respond by putting up rainbow flags at their training base ahead of Friday's clash with Iran. You can read more about that here.
Nevertheless, their decision to back down from wearing the armband has sparked criticism from some corners, with the issue becoming an increasingly heated topic after some supporters attending Monday's game with the USA had rainbow bucket hats confiscated by security.
One American journalist was also initially denied entry for wearing a t-shirt with a rainbow.
ITV pundit Roy Keane believes Wales, and England, were wrong to cave in to the threat of sanctions from FIFA, a view shared by colleague Ian Wright on Wednesday.
"There's no protest without risk. If you're going to protest, there has to be some risk in it," he said. "You see the Danes saying things like they're going to sue FIFA and all this. It's like when you're having a fight with someone and it's broken up and you want to fight. It's done.
"It's ridiculous saying 'We're going to sue them'. For what? Wear the band and take the consequences.
"It would have been such a powerful protest because the LGBTQ community will see the players have actually put something on the line like they do every day with their lives."
Keane then added: "If they put a challenge on you, that should make you more determined to do it. If you're going to protest, you're going to upset some people.
"Go and do it. Be strong."
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