World Cup 2026 Pride match between Egypt and Iran that Seattle hopes ‘could bring the soccer community together’ Football News

When Seattle announced it would host a Pride match during the 2026 World Cup, it was long before the draw.

D June 26 match at Lumen Field (UK 27 June 4am) – one of six the city is hosting – falls on the same date as Seattle’s annual Pride weekend, setting the stage for celebratory festivities outside the stadium.

It’s a game that could decide who makes it to the knockout stages – and it’s a game that will feature two countries with some of the strictest anti-gay laws in the world: Egypt and Iran.

In Iran, same-sex relationships are illegal and gay men are sentenced to death on sex charges, making their laws among the most oppressive against the LGBTQ community in the world.

Egypt has previously arrested LGBTQ people under obscenity laws and in recent years has cracked down on outward expressions of pride and waving the rainbow flag.

Both countries have called on FIFA and Seattle to cancel the Pride celebrations.

Iran Football Federation president Mehdi Taj described the Pride branding for the match as “inappropriate” and an “absurd move”.

A statement from the Egyptian Football Association said: “Egypt categorically rejects any activity related to support (homosexuality) during matches. Such initiatives are in conflict with the cultural, religious and social values ​​of the region, especially in Arab and Islamic societies.”

FIFA, which has no formal involvement in the plan, has resisted calls from Iran and Egypt to cancel or move the match.

Seattle’s local organizing committee said they would go ahead as planned, saying: “Soccer has a unique power to unite people across borders, cultures and beliefs. We are honored to host a pride match and celebrate pride as part of a global soccer community. This match reflects our ongoing commitment to respect, dignity and unity for all.”

Both teams will be looking to secure qualification to the round of 32, with Group G leaders Egypt on four points and Iran second on two.

Iran will also travel from their base in Mexico to Seattle on the day of the match The ban does not allow the group to stay overnight in the United States.

‘We want the people of Egypt and Iran to know they are welcome in Seattle’

Eric Wahl, who fell in love with soccer while living in Seattle, is a member of the Seattle Pride Match Advisory Committee and is helping organize the game.

He is also the journalist’s brother Grant Wahl, who died of an aortic aneurysm at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Wahl was briefly detained by security staff a month ago for wearing a rainbow football shirt.

Despite some initial apprehension at the draw, Eric Wahl believes the Pride match will be an opportunity to show the world how welcoming Seattle is.

“Our sole goal was to highlight LGBTQ organizations and businesses in Seattle and combine that with our shared love of soccer as a world game,” he said.

“It’s actually a really positive thing.

“We want the people of Egypt and Iran to know that, regardless of their personal identity, they will be welcome in Seattle and we will be happy to have them.

“I really hope that there will be football fans in Iran and Egypt who will be able to watch this match for the match itself, but also with the light of equality around it.”

Four years ago Qatari footballers made a controversial U-turn ‘OneLove’ Rainbow Armband But Wahl doesn’t expect players from Iran or Egypt to comment on anything other than football.

“I think it’s par for the course (they will have questions) but also a bit unfair to the players in both national teams who have undoubtedly been put in a position they didn’t ask for.

“Asking someone to comment on these situations puts them in an unfair position.

“It doesn’t matter to me whether they’re for or against gay rights in general, because they have to think about the oppressive regime they come from, and that’s a huge concern to me.”

FIFA will treat the match like any other World Cup match

Although FIFA is not in charge of organizing the Pride match, it is in contact with the local organizing committee and the Pride Advisory Committee in Seattle.

The match will be treated like any other World Cup game, a FIFA spokesperson told Sky Sports News: “The FIFA World Cup 2026 is an inclusive event that welcomes people of all backgrounds. Fans of all sexual orientations and gender identities are welcome at matches and events.”

FIFA branding will be limited to its regular ‘No Discrimination’ promotional material but rainbow flags will be allowed inside the stadium.

“General statements of human rights, including rainbow flags and other flags representing sexual orientation and gender identity, are permitted under the FIFA World Cup 2026 Stadium Code of Conduct and may be displayed inside stadiums if they are used in accordance with the code.”

The governing body is adamant that it will not stand for discrimination of any kind at the World Cup and that anyone can report any abuse at FIFA events through its app.

FIFA will follow a three-step procedure for all matches involving any discrimination in the stadium.

In the event of an incident, the match will first be stopped, with an announcement calling on the spectators to stop aggressive behaviour. If it continues after the restart, the match may be suspended or even abandoned as a last resort.

Seattle hopes it will instead be a joyful, inclusive occasion that celebrates the LGBTQ community.

Wahl expects to see a sea of ​​color at kick-off in a match that also marks an opportunity to honor his late brother.

“I’ll be wearing a version of the rainbow soccer ball shirt that Grant was detained in Qatar for,” Wahl said.

“I think it’s going to be amazing. I can’t wait to share that experience, and I can feel Grant laughing about it, too.”