Seattle, WA – Plans to celebrate LGBTQ+ rights and freedoms in Seattle during the 2026 World Cup will proceed as planned, despite formal objections from the Egyptian and Iranian football federations regarding the designated "Pride Match". The match, scheduled for June 26, 2026, will see Egypt face Iran in a Group G game at Lumen Field during Seattle's Pride weekend.
SeattleFWC26, the local organizing committee, has confirmed its commitment to hosting Pride activities outside the stadium during the match and throughout the tournament. This decision comes in response to concerns raised by Egypt and Iran, where homosexuality faces legal and social challenges. Homosexuality is illegal in Iran, and in Egypt, morality laws are often used to prosecute LGBTQ+ individuals.
The Egyptian Football Association expressed concerns in a letter to FIFA, stating that Pride Match events contradict the "cultural, religious, and social values… in Arab and Islamic societies" and could "provoke sensitivities". Similarly, the head of Iran's Football Association, Mehdi Taj, described the Pride Match branding as "irrational" and stated that Iran had also protested to FIFA, claiming it violates the organization's tradition of neutrality.
Despite these objections, Seattle organizers are standing firm. Hana Tedesse, the Vice President of Communications for Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026, stated that the committee's role is to prepare the city to host the matches and manage the city experience outside of Seattle Stadium. She added that SeattleFWC26 is moving forward with its community programming, partnering with LGBTQ+ leaders, artists, and business owners to elevate existing Pride celebrations across Washington.
FIFA, which has operational control of the stadiums on match days, has not yet commented on the Pride Match controversy. While FIFA prohibits banners and flags with political, religious, or ideological messages inside stadiums, rainbow flags will be allowed. This policy was applied at the last World Cup in Qatar.
The "Pride Match" concept was devised by the Seattle committee to highlight the city's history of advocating for equality. The committee has commissioned a design contest to create images to commemorate the occasion.
Tedesse emphasized that the organizing committee aims to ensure all fans feel welcome in the city during the 48-team tournament. She highlighted the presence of large Iranian-American and Egyptian communities in the Pacific Northwest.
The controversy stems from the FIFA tournament draw, which selected Egypt and Iran to play on the same day Seattle had already planned Pride-themed programming. The clash highlights the tension between Seattle's inclusive values and the cultural sensitivities of competing nations.
Eric Wahl, brother of the late soccer journalist Grant Wahl, supports the Pride Match, stating that the match-up of two countries where it is illegal to be gay is a "good thing" for the Pride Match.
