Iran and Egypt have complained after FIFA scheduled a World Cup match between the 2 nations in Seattle to coincide with the town’s LGBTQ+ Pleasure pageant.
Seattle’s PrideFest 2026, which organisers say frequently sees greater than 200,000 contributors, takes place on 27 and 28 June – instantly following the match.
Native organisers have stated the 26 June sport on the Seattle Stadium will embrace a “once-in-a-lifetime moment to showcase and celebrate LGBTQIA+ communities in Washington”.
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Iran gamers pose for a workforce group photograph earlier than a match in opposition to North Korea in June 2025. Pic: Reuters
In Iran, the place homosexual {couples} can face the demise penalty, the president of Iran’s Soccer Federation, Mehdi Taj, condemned the choice to make use of Seattle as a venue and the timing of the match.
Mr Taj instructed Iranian state TV: “Both Egypt and we have objected, because this is an unreasonable and illogical move that essentially signals support for a particular group, and we must definitely address this point.”
He stated Iran would carry up the difficulty at a FIFA Council assembly in Qatar subsequent week.
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The Egypt gamers line up throughout the nationwide anthems earlier than the match in opposition to Jordan. Pic: Reuters
The soccer federation in Egypt, the place Human Rights Watch says individuals from LGBTQ+ communities face persecution, stated in an announcement that it had written to FIFA “categorically rejecting any activities related to supporting homosexuality during the match between the Egyptian national team and Iran.”
The letter additionally said: “Information had circulated indicating the local organising committee’s decision and plans to hold some activities related to supporting homosexuality during that match” and the federation “completely rejects such activities, which directly contradict the cultural, religious and social values in the region, especially in Arab and Islamic societies”.
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The Seattle Pleasure pageant takes place in late June, attracting a whole lot of 1000’s of individuals yearly, like in 2023. File pic: AP
In Seattle, the native organising committee stated it was “moving forward as planned with our community programming outside the stadium during Pride weekend and throughout the tournament,” having already promoted an artwork contest forward of the match.
It added: “We get to show the world that in Seattle, everyone is welcome.”
Seattle PrideFest has been organised within the metropolis since 2007 by a nonprofit group which designated the 26 June match for celebration earlier than FIFA carried out the World Cup draw on Friday.
On Saturday, FIFA introduced the Egypt-Iran sport had been allotted to Seattle as an alternative of Vancouver, the place the groups’ group rivals Belgium and New Zealand will play on the identical time.
FIFA has been requested for a remark.
