Published June 25th, 2026 - 06:51 GMT
ALBAWABA - Despite strong laws that ban LGBTQ+ activity in Iran and Egypt, FIFA World Cup announced the first-ever "Pride Match" on Saturday, June 27. Iran and Egypt are set to play on June 26 in Seattle.The national teams of Iran and Egypt are scheduled to play in the first-ever FIFA World Cup Pride Match Saturday at Lumen Field in Seattle, as FIFA says it expects a lot of LGBTQ+ flags in the football stands.Both countries are anti-LGBTQ+; however, the picking of their match was a coincidence. The Seattle World Cup host committee designated the Group G match on June 27 the first-ever Pride match.🚨🚨| BREAKING: The Iran Football Federation has urged FIFA to ban LGBTQ+ support activities and Pride-related symbols during Friday’s Pride Match against Egypt in Seattle, arguing against any ceremonies or promotions linked to the movement at Lumen Field.Despite the request,… pic.twitter.com/is1HnxIi3L— Goals Side (@goalsside) June 25, 2026 Despite calls to cancel it or postpone it to another match, the Seattle organizing committee confirmed that it won't reschedule the Pride Match, stressing that it will go ahead as planned.FIFA said that Pride flags are allowed in stadiums for World Cup matches, despite threats to stop games over them by Tehran.Hedda McLendon, Seattle FQC26's senior vice president of legacy, said in a statement to Outsports: "We anticipate a lot of rainbow flags in the stadium and T-shirts with rainbow flags on them. Let’s welcome people to Seattle. It's the World Cup. And let's show them how we Pride. It's not a day, it's not a weekend here. It's a month."🇪🇬🇮🇷 SEATTLE'S "PRIDE MATCH" FOR 2026 WORLD CUP WILL FEATURE... EGYPT VS. IRANYou cannot make this up.Seattle organizers decided months ago that June 26 would be their LGBT "Pride Night" match during the 2026 World Cup. Rainbow flags, art installations, community… pic.twitter.com/XcDf4q4sti— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) December 10, 2025 Iran requested FIFA to ban Pride flags from stadiums during the national team's World Cup matches as part of a list of demands. However, FIFA rejected the request, confirming that LGBTQ+ flags are allowed.According to the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic, only officially recognized national flags should be displayed during matches. Additionally, the Football Association in Egypt, where Human Rights Watch notes LGBTQ+ communities face persecution and punishment, requested in a statement to FIFA "categorically rejecting any activities related to supporting homosexuality during the match."
