The Iranian women’s soccer team has effectively been banned from the 2012 Olympics because their uniform adheres to Iran’s interpretation of Islamic standards, and thereby violates FIFA’s Olympic ban on religious displays.

The law of the Islamic Republic of Iran states that women must cover their heads in public. The FIFA rules for uniforms and equipment state that “Players and officials shall not display political, religious, commercial or personal messages or slogans in any language or form on their playing or team kits.”

The Iranian women’s team, in keeping with the country’s Islamic law, plays in full-body suits that cover their hair. They were informed last week that their uniform violated the rules, moments before an Olympic qualifying match against ...