A protester has run onto the field at the World Cup, carrying a rainbow flag and wearing a shirt that read "Save Ukraine" under a Superman logo on the front and "respect for Iranian woman" written on the back. 

The man ran onto the field during the match between Portugal and Uruguay, during the second half of the game at Lusail Stadium.

Security officials chased the protester down and the flag was dropped on the field before the person was escorted away.

The referee then picked up the flag and left it on the sideline, where it stayed for a few moments before a worker came and collected it.

Security officials ushered away the protester through a tunnel.

It wasn't immediately clear if the person faced any charges or had been detained by police.

FIFA had no immediate comment on the incident.

In the first week of the tournament in Qatar, seven European teams lost the battle to wear multicoloured "One Love" armbands during World Cup matches.

Fans also complained they weren't allowed to bring items with rainbow colours, a symbol of LGBTQ rights, into the stadiums of the conservative Islamic emirate.

Qatar's laws against gay sex and treatment of LGBTQ people were flashpoints in the run-up to the first World Cup to be held in the Middle East.

The host nation has said everyone was welcome, including LGBTQ fans, but visitors should respect Qatar's culture.

AP