In the preliminary round of the World Cup, Iran will face Egypt in Seattle - during the Pride weekend. Egypt is protesting to FIFA because of LGBTQI+ events planned for that time.
10.12.2025, 12:23
dpa
The Egyptian Football Association has sent a clear letter to FIFA protesting against the fact that the World Cup match against Iran in Seattle is being held as a Pride match. The democratic-liberal US city is celebrating the LGBTQ+ community on the last weekend of June 2026. The preliminary round match between the teams of the two Muslim countries in which homosexuality is suppressed is scheduled for June 26 in Seattle.
In a letter to FIFA and its Secretary General Mattias Grafström, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) rejected "any activities" that promote homosexuality during the match. "Such activities contradict the cultural, religious and social values of (...) Arab and Muslim societies," it said.
Egyptians: No "sensitive or controversial issues"
The EFA referred to Article 4 of the FIFA Statutes, in which the association is committed to neutrality in political and social issues. The article is intended to ensure that football is not used as a platform to "promote sensitive or controversial issues", according to the EFA. Furthermore, according to FIFA's disciplinary rules, no actions are permitted that "exacerbate tensions, misunderstandings or conflicts between fans of different backgrounds".
According to a report, the Iranians had previously reacted very angrily to the scheduling and plans surrounding the match in Seattle. According to the Isna news agency, association head Mehdi Tadsch spoke of an "unreasonable act that represents support for a certain group". He called for further discussion.
The plans for the Pride Match had already been made before the exact date of the match on June 26, 2026 was decided. The World Cup organizers have already announced that they intend to stick with it. Among other things, there is a design competition for the match: In the final selection is a poster featuring a crab with goalkeeper gloves and a coffee in its claws, while a sun rises in the LGBTQI+ rainbow colors in the background.
Local organizers stick to plans
The World Cup organizers in the coastal city in the northwest of the USA emphasized that they have no influence on what happens on the field or in the stadium - but they do have influence on how they present themselves to visitors. "Seattle's LGBTQ+ community and culture is an essential part of what makes our city so special, and we look forward to sharing that with the world," Hana Tadesse from the local organizing committee told dpa.
The English abbreviation LGBTQI+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex people - and the plus sign and the asterisk are placeholders for other identities and genders.
Egypt and Iran take action against homosexuals
Homosexual acts are punishable in Iran and are sometimes even punishable by death. In Egypt, there are criminal offenses "for the protection of morals or religion", according to which homosexuality can also be punished, for example in laws on prostitution or general customs.
FIFA did not respond to a request for comment. The organizers in Seattle added that they were striving to show all visitors "the warmth, respect and dignity that characterizes our region".
The "One Love" captain's armband, which Switzerland also wanted to wear, had already caused a stir at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The armband had a color scheme similar to the rainbow flag and was intended as a symbol against discrimination and for diversity. Shortly before the start of the tournament, FIFA banned the teams from wearing this armband and threatened to impose sporting sanctions.
