Iran and Egypt are opposed to participating in the “Pride Match” to be held in Seattle during the 2026 World Cup.
The Egyptian Football Association announced on Tuesday said In a letter to Secretary General Matthias Grafström, FIFA said: “FIFA categorically refuses to engage in activities related to support for (homosexuality) during the match between the Egyptian national team and Iran, scheduled to take place on June 26, 2026 in Seattle, USA, during the third group stage of the 2026 World Cup.” Mehdi Taj, president of the Islamic Republic of Iran Football Federation, told Iran’s semi-state news agency ISNA that both his country and Egypt have made the following decision: “I protested this issue.”
The 2026 World Cup will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The drawing was held on December 5th at the Kennedy Center.
Iran is one of the few countries where consensual same-sex sexual relations remain punishable by death.
Department of State’s 2023 Human Rights Report memo Egyptian law “does not explicitly criminalize consensual same-sex sex, but authorities regularly arrest and prosecute LGBTQI+ people for offenses such as ‘debauchery,’ prostitution, and ‘violating family values.’ Egyptian authorities also reportedly prosecute LGBTQI+ people for ‘misusing social media.'”
“This effectively criminalized same-sex conduct and identity,” the report said.
The State Department’s 2024 Human Rights Report released earlier this year contained no LGBTQ-specific references.
Soccer has a “unique power to unite people across borders, cultures and beliefs”
The June 26 match between Iran and Egypt will be held at the same time as the Seattle Pride. washington post reported The Seattle 2026 FIFA World Cup Local Organizing Committee decided to hold the “Pride Match” before the draw last week.
“As the local organizing committee, Seattle FWC26’s role is to prepare our city to host the games and manage the urban experience outside of Seattle Stadium,” Hana Tadesse, Seattle FWC26 vice president of communications, said in a statement the committee sent to the Washington Blade on Wednesday. “Seattle FWC26 continues as planned with out-of-stadium community programming during Pride weekend and the tournament, partnering with LGBTQ+ leaders, artists and business owners to enhance existing Pride celebrations across Washington.”
“Football has the unique power to unite people across borders, cultures and beliefs,” Taddis added. “The Pacific Northwest is home to one of the largest Iranian American communities in the country, a thriving Egyptian diaspora, and a rich community representing all the countries we host in Seattle. We are committed to ensuring that all residents and visitors experience the warmth, respect, and dignity that characterizes our region.”
The 2034 World Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia.
Consensual same-sex sexual relations remain punishable by death in the country. The 2022 World Cup was held in neighboring Qatar despite concerns over the country’s history of anti-LGBTQ rights.
Source: Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News – www.washingtonblade.com
