Iran, Egypt Slated to Play ‘Pride Match’ in Seattle Despite Government Objections
Iran and Egypt are scheduled to play in an LGBT-branded ‘Pride Match’ in Seattle on Friday night over the objections of both governments.
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Seattle’s local organizing committee, a group separate from the broader FIFA organization, designated the June 26 match as Pride-themed to coincide with the city’s annual celebration of homosexuality before organizers knew which teams would be competing in the match.
Egypt, through its football association, appealed to FIFA, saying the country “categorically rejects any activities promoting LGBTQ during the match,” and underscored concerns the events could “provoke cultural and religious sensitivities among fans.”
Iran similarly disapproved of the Pride event plans, with the country’s football association calling it an “irrational move that supports a certain group.” Iran has asked FIFA to prevent any ceremonies and activities” celebrating homosexuality as well as the display of any Pride-themed symbols inside and around the stadium, The Athletic reported.
FIFA has said the match is not Pride-themed, arguing that any Pride branding is the responsibility of the city.
“I must clarify that there will be no ‘Pride Match’ at the [FIFA] World Cup,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said. “There will be a FIFA World Cup match in Seattle, and on the same day, events organized by external organizations will be taking place in the city. But that has nothing to do with the match itself.”
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The soccer organization did, however, issue a statement, saying the World Cup is an “inclusive event.”
“Rainbow flags and other flags representing sexual orientation and gender identity are permitted under the FIFA World Cup 2026 Stadium Code of Conduct,” the statement reads.
The Seattle World Cup Committee, Seattle Fifa World Cup 26, said it has no intention to change its plans.
“Pride Match Day for us was always going to be bigger than the actual soccer match. It’s really a citywide celebration of visibility, belonging and community,” Hedda McLendon, SeattleFWC26’s senior vice president of legacy, said. “We see this as an opportunity to introduce the world to what it looks like to live in a place where the LGBT community is a protected class … where we get to hold hands in public, where we show our joy on the streets. That’s not the case everywhere, even in the US. We hope fans visiting come with curiosity.”
In Iran, homosexuality is banned. Under the Islamic Penal Code of Iran, sodomy is punishable by death. While homosexuality is not explicitly illegal in Egypt, the country has debauchery laws that are used to target gay people specifically.
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