FIFA is inching closer to allowing teams to wear rainbow-colored armbands that promote inclusivity at this year¡¯s Women¡¯s World Cup, potentially reversing a policy that specifically outlawed similar armbands at the men¡¯s World Cup in Qatar last year.

In November, FIFA threatened teams and their captains with serious punishments in its effort to silence a long-planned anti-discrimination statement only hours before the start of the World Cup, leading to a breakdown in relations between soccer¡¯s governing body and several competing nations.

But this week, after months of discussions between soccer¡¯s leaders and national federations that are intent on allowing their players to highlight causes that are important to them on women¡¯s soccer¡¯s biggest stage, FIFA is planning to send a letter outlining its armband rules for the 32 teams that will participate in the tournament.