LGBTQ+ events to go ahead at WC game between Egypt-Iran with Seattle to host Egypt v Iran in Group G next summer.
LGBTQ+ events to go ahead at World Cup game despite Egypt and Iran objections.
Despite opposition from the Egyptian and Iranian football federations regarding the planned “Pride Match,” plans to commemorate LGBTQ+ rights and freedoms in Seattle during the World Cup next summer will go forward.
When Egypt plays Iran in Group G on June 26, Pride events in Seattle are “moving forward as planned,” according to organisers. Fifa will also permit rainbow flags to enter the stadium.
Iran forbids homosexuality, and LGBTQ+ individuals are frequently prosecuted in Egypt under morals laws. This Monday, the Egyptian football federation said that it had complained against the Pride Match in writing to the general secretary of Fifa, stating that it did not want to be connected to events that “directly contradict the cultural, religious, and social values…” of Arab and Islamic communities. The local news agency ISNA cited Mehdi Taj, the chairman of Iran’s football association, as saying that the organisation has also voiced “objections against the issue.”
The organising committee for Seattle said in a statement that its plans for activities were outside the stadium and would go ahead. “As the local organising committee, SeattleFWC26’s role is to prepare our city to host the matches and manage the city experience outside of Seattle Stadium,” said Hana Tedesse, the vice-president of communications for Seattle Fifa World Cup 2026.
“SeattleFWC26 is moving forward as planned with our community programming outside the stadium during Pride weekend and throughout the tournament, partnering with LGBTQ+ leaders, artists and business owners to elevate existing Pride celebrations across Washington.”
The Seattle group came up with the idea for Pride Match, which showcases “our city’s proud history of advocating for equality” while all eyes are on the city. One webpage features a photograph of the rainbow flag being paraded through Seattle Stadium, and it has commissioned a design contest to produce visuals to memorialise the occasion.