While Germany suffered a shock 1-2 loss against Japan in their opener, their players sent a powerful message with the gesture.

Captains of seven European countries - The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, England and Wales - had planned to wear the "OneLove" armband to support the LGBTQ+ community and promote inclusion.

However, the decision was reversed after world football’s governing body threatened players with a booking.

Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar and human rights issues have dominated the headlines in the build up to the World Cup.

"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," a German Football Federation (DFB) statement said.

"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."

Meanwhile, Germany’s Interior Minister Nancy Faeser was spotted wearing the rainbow coloured armband as she sat next to FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the game at the Khalifa International Stadium.

FIFA has brought its own "No Discrimination" armband, with Germany captain Manuel Neuer wearing it during the game.

Earlier, supermarket chain Rewe suspended its advertising deal with DFB, after FIFA’s stance on the "OneLove" armband.

While the protests raised eyebrows in the football world, Japan stunned Germany with a comeback victory.

The 2014 world champions took the lead through a İlkay Gündoğan penalty in the 33rd minute before substitutes Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano allowed the Samurai Blue to record a famous win in the final 15 minutes.

This was the second shock result in Qatar following Saudi Arabia's sensational win over tournament favourites Argentina yesterday.

Gündoğan calmy slotted from the spot after Japanese goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda fouled David Raum in the penalty area.

The Germans dominated the first half with teenager Jamal Musiala troubling Japanese defenders on multiple occasions.

Chelsea star Kai Havertz thought he had doubled the lead before the break, but was judged offside.

Japan stepped up in the second half and with 15 minutes to go, Doan tapped in the equaliser after Neuer had saved Takumi Minamino’s initial shot.

In the 83rd minute, Asano who controlled a long ball from the right with a deft touch, poked in from a tight angle to upset the four-time winners.