Seattle World Cup ‘Pride match’ events to go ahead despite Iran, Egypt complaints

Workers clear the turf at B.C. Place during a FIFA World Cup 2026 update in Vancouver, Tuesday, April 30, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

World Cup organizers in Seattle said Wednesday that activities celebrating the LGBTQ community around a match between Egypt and Iran at next year’s tournament would go ahead as planned despite objections by officials from the countries involved.

The Seattle 2026 World Cup organizing committee said the first round group game on June 26 -- designated locally as the “Pride Match” -- will serve as a platform to highlight the city’s annual LGBTQ Pride Weekend.

“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,” said organizing committee vice president of communications Hana Tadesse in a statement distributed to U.S. media.

“Football has a unique power to unite people across borders, cultures, and beliefs. The Pacific Northwest is home to one of the nation’s largest Iranian-American communities, a thriving Egyptian diaspora, and rich communities representing all nations we’re hosting in Seattle,” the statement added.

“We’re committed to ensuring all residents and visitors experience the warmth, respect, and dignity that defines our region.”

Iranian and Egyptian officials have both raised objections to the Seattle Pride celebrations around their fixture.

Homosexuality is illegal in Iran under Islamic law and can be punishable by death.

The head of Iran’s Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, was quoted by local news agency ISNA as saying that Tehran and Cairo had both raised “objections against the issue,” which he labelled an “irrational move that supports a certain group.”

Taj did not mention the specific branding of the fixture.

On Monday, Iranian state television said Tehran would “appeal” to FIFA over the matter.

Egypt’s Football Association has voiced similar objections, according to Egyptian local media outlets citing unnamed sources.

In Egypt, homosexuality is not expressly outlawed, but is often punished under loosely worded laws prohibiting “debauchery.”