diff --git a/changelogs/fragments/79023-fix-flush_handlers-fqcn.yml b/changelogs/fragments/79023-fix-flush_handlers-fqcn.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..070bc727215
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelogs/fragments/79023-fix-flush_handlers-fqcn.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+bugfixes:
+  - "handlers - fix an issue where the ``flush_handlers`` meta task could not be used with FQCN: ``ansible.builtin.meta`` (https://github.com/ansible/ansible/issues/79023)"
diff --git a/lib/ansible/plugins/strategy/linear.py b/lib/ansible/plugins/strategy/linear.py
index a9406a20748..dc34e097bbe 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/plugins/strategy/linear.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/plugins/strategy/linear.py
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ class StrategyModule(StrategyBase):
         # once hosts synchronize on 'flush_handlers' lockstep enters
         # '_in_handlers' phase where handlers are run instead of tasks
         # until at least one host is in IteratingStates.HANDLERS
-        if (not self._in_handlers and cur_task.action == 'meta' and
+        if (not self._in_handlers and cur_task.action in C._ACTION_META and
                 cur_task.args.get('_raw_params') == 'flush_handlers'):
             self._in_handlers = True
 
diff --git a/test/integration/targets/handlers/runme.sh b/test/integration/targets/handlers/runme.sh
index 1c597c66225..e2d521805f8 100755
--- a/test/integration/targets/handlers/runme.sh
+++ b/test/integration/targets/handlers/runme.sh
@@ -166,3 +166,7 @@ ansible-playbook test_flush_handlers_rescue_always.yml -i inventory.handlers "$@
 [ "$(grep out.txt -ce 'rescue ran')" = "1" ]
 [ "$(grep out.txt -ce 'always ran')" = "2" ]
 [ "$(grep out.txt -ce 'should run for both hosts')" = "2" ]
+
+ansible-playbook test_fqcn_meta_flush_handlers.yml -i inventory.handlers "$@" 2>&1 | tee out.txt
+grep out.txt -e "handler ran"
+grep out.txt -e "after flush"
diff --git a/test/integration/targets/handlers/test_fqcn_meta_flush_handlers.yml b/test/integration/targets/handlers/test_fqcn_meta_flush_handlers.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..f9c67cf56aa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/integration/targets/handlers/test_fqcn_meta_flush_handlers.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+- hosts: A
+  gather_facts: false
+  tasks:
+    - command: echo
+      notify: handler
+
+    - ansible.builtin.meta: flush_handlers
+
+    - debug:
+        msg: after flush
+  handlers:
+    - name: handler
+      debug:
+        msg: handler ran