When Seattle announced it would host a Pride match during the 2026 World Cup, it was well before the draw took place.
The game at Lumen Field on June 26 (4am on June 27 in the UK) – one of six held by the city – coincides with Seattle’s annual Pride weekend and sets the stage for celebrations outside the stadium.
It’s a game that could determine who advances to the knockout stages, and it’s a game that features two countries with some of the strictest anti-gay laws in the world: Egypt and Iran.
Same-sex relationships are illegal in Iran and gay men are executed on sodomy charges, making their laws some of the most repressive against the LGBTQ community in the world.
Egypt has previously arrested LGBTQ people under obscenity laws and has cracked down on outward expressions of pride and waving rainbow flags in recent years.
Both countries called on FIFA and Seattle to cancel Pride events.
Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, described the match’s Pride branding as “inappropriate” and an “irrational move.”
“Egypt rejects any activity related to support for homosexuality during the game,” the Egyptian Football Association said in a statement. These plans conflict with the cultural, religious and social values of the region, especially Arab and Islamic societies.
FIFA, which is not officially involved in the plan, has rejected requests to cancel or postpone the match between Iran and Egypt.
Seattle-area organizers said it would proceed as planned. “Football has the unique power to unite people across borders, cultures and beliefs. We are honored to host the Pride Games and celebrate Pride as part of the global soccer community. The Games reflect our ongoing commitment to respect, dignity and unity for all.”
Egypt is first in Group G with 4 points, and Iran is second with 2 points, and both sides are aiming to advance to the round of 32.
Iran will also have to travel from its base in Mexico to Seattle on game day due to restrictions preventing it from staying overnight in the United States.
Seattle’s Pride Match Advisory Committee said the city was ‘honored to celebrate Pride as part of the global soccer community.’
‘We want Egyptians and Iranians to know they will be welcome in Seattle’
Eric Wahl, who lives in Seattle and is obsessed with soccer, serves on the Seattle Pride Match advisory board and helps organize the games.
He is also the younger brother of journalist Grant Wahl, who passed away from an aortic aneurysm during the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Wahl was briefly detained by security staff a month ago for wearing a rainbow football shirt.
Despite some initial apprehension when the draw was made, Eric Wahl believes the Pride match will be an opportunity to show the world how welcoming Seattle is.
“We had a singular mission to highlight LGBTQ organizations and businesses in Seattle and combine that with our shared love of soccer as a global sport,” he said.
“This is actually a very positive thing.
“We want Egyptians and Iranians to know that regardless of their personal identity, they are welcome in Seattle and we are happy to welcome them.
“I sincerely hope that there are football fans in Iran and Egypt who can watch this match not only in the game itself, but with a halo of equality around them.”
Four years ago Qatar’s footballers were embroiled in a controversial tirade over ‘OneLove’ rainbow armbands, but Wahl did not expect Iranian or Egyptian players to comment on anything other than football itself.
“I think that’s par for the course – there will be questions about them – but I think it’s a bit unfair to the players in both national teams who have undoubtedly been put in a position they didn’t ask for.
“Asking any of them for their opinion on this situation puts them in an unfair position.
“It doesn’t matter to me whether they are generally for or against gay rights, because they have to think about the oppressive regime they came from, and that is a much bigger concern to me.”
FIFA treats matches the same as World Cup matches
FIFA is not responsible for organizing Pride matches, but is in contact with the Seattle Regional Organizing Committee and Pride Advisory Committee.
A FIFA spokesperson told Sky Sports News: “The 2026 FIFA World Cup is an inclusive event that welcomes people from all backgrounds. Fans of all sexual orientations and gender identities are welcome.”
FIFA’s branding is limited to regular ‘anti-discrimination’ campaign materials, but rainbow flags are permitted inside stadiums.
“General human rights declarations, including the rainbow flag and other flags representing sexual orientation and gender identity, are permitted under the 2026 FIFA World Cup Stadium Code of Conduct and may be displayed inside stadiums if used in a manner consistent with that code.”
The governing body has been adamant that it will not tolerate discrimination of any kind at the World Cup and that anyone can report any abuse they face at FIFA events via the app.
Any discrimination on the pitch follows FIFA’s three-step process, which applies to all matches.
First, if an incident occurs, play will be stopped and a notice will be displayed urging spectators to stop their aggressive behavior. If it continues after the restart, the game may be suspended or, as a last resort, the game may be suspended.
Seattle hopes to be a fun and inclusive event that celebrates the LGBTQ community.
Wahl expects to see a sea of color at kickoff of the game, which is also an opportunity to honor his late brother.
“I’ll be wearing a version of the rainbow soccer ball shirt that Grant was detained in in Qatar,” Wahl said.
“It’s going to be really cool. I can’t wait to share the experience. I think Grant is smiling too.”
