In an unfortunate turn of events, Egypt and Iran – two nations known for their extreme anti-LGBTQ+ laws – have been scheduled to compete in an LGBTQ Pride-themed match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA.
On 7 December, FIFA conducted the draw for the tournament’s group stage and match fixtures at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.
As part of Seattle’s World Cup activities, organisers planned to honour the LGBTQ+ community with a historic Pride-themed match on 26 June, coinciding with the city’s Pride Weekend.
Unfortunately, Egypt and Iran were drawn to face each other in this match – an outcome that has quickly overshadowed the organisers’ intentions.
Backlash from Egypt and Iran
Both countries have now urged FIFA to reconsider the association of their fixture with LGBTQ+ celebrations.
Mehdi Taj, head of Iran’s Football Federation, objected to the plan and will appeal to FIFA. According to the ISNA news agency, he described the match as an “unreasonable and illogical move that essentially signals support for a particular group.”
Egypt’s Football Association similarly wrote to FIFA, warning that such activities could “provoke cultural and religious sensitivities between fans present from both countries,” arguing that “such activities are culturally and religiously incompatible with the two countries.”
The association added that it “demands that Fifa not hold any events or performances related to supporting homosexuality inside the stadium on match day.”
Laws that Imprison and Execute LGBTQ+ People
Same-sex intimacy is criminalised under public morality and indecency laws in Egypt and is punishable by imprisonment. It’s not uncommon for LGBTQ+ individuals to be entrapped by police using social media and dating apps.
In 2020, Egypt told the UN it could not protect LGBTQ+ people’s rights as it does not recognise that they exist.
Iran remains one of a handful of countries that enforces the death penalty, in addition to corporal punishment (flogging) and imprisonment, for those found “guilty” of same-sex intimacy.
In 2022, two LGBTQ+ activists were sentenced to death after they were found guilty of “promoting” homosexuality.
Seattle Organisers Stand Firm
Despite the two countries’ objections, the Seattle 2026 World Cup organising committee says the Pride Match will proceed as planned.
In a statement, Hana Tadesse, the committee’s vice president of communications, affirmed: “SeattleFWC26 is moving forward as planned with our community programming outside the stadium during Pride weekend and throughout the tournament, partnering with LGBTQ+ leaders, artists, and business owners to elevate existing Pride celebrations across Washington.”
