Egypt versus Iran at the 2026 FIFA World Cup is a scheduled football match between Egypt and Iran in the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be held at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington. The match scheduled to be played on June 26, 2026, aligns with Seattle's annual Pride weekend celebrations. This will be the first meeting between the two teams at the World Cup.[1][2]
The match received extensive media coverage after it was also designated as a 'Pride Match', a social initiative intended to promote inclusion and equality for the LGBTQ+ community.[3][1] The event is organized by the Seattle committee and is not endorsed by FIFA.[1]
Homosexual acts are illegal in both Iran and Egypt.[2] The Egyptian Football Association wrote to FIFA "to ensure that the match is held in an atmosphere of respect and focus solely on the sporting aspect" without "any events or performances related to supporting homosexuality inside the stadium on matchday".[2]
In recent years, international football has increasingly incorporated initiatives aimed at promoting diversity, inclusion, and social responsibility. Major tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup, have served as global platforms for campaigns addressing issues such as anti-racism, gender equality, and the inclusion of marginalized communities. Similar themed matches and awareness campaigns have appeared in domestic leagues and international competitions, often supported by clubs, federations, and host cities.[4]
Background
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and it will be the first time the tournament includes 48 teams. Before the official draw on December 5, 2025, Seattle’s organizing group, SeattleFWC26, announced a “Pride Match” plan. They wanted to create public art, displays, and events celebrating LGBTQ+ communities around Lumen Field. When the match schedule was announced on December 6, it confirmed that Egypt would play Iran on June 26, 2026, in Group G, during the city’s Pride celebrations.[5][6]
Pre-match controversy
The Pride Match branding caused an immediate backlash from both Egypt's and Iran's football federations. They addressed FIFA by pointing out its rules about staying politically neutral. Seattle’s organizers, through the Pride Match Advisory Committee (PMAC), said the plans would still go forward and stressed that football brings people together. News outlets pointed out the irony of the matchup, noting how inclusive Seattle is compared with the laws in the teams’ home countries.[1][7][8]
2022 World Cup
During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, FIFA requested visiting fans to respect the host country’s values. Some fans even had their rainbow flags and hats confiscated by local security before they could enter the stadium.[9] FIFA also said it would punish team captains on the field if they wore the “OneLove” armband, which was part of a campaign to support inclusion and stand against discrimination.[9]
Reactions
Iran's Football Federation President Mehdi Taj called the designation "unreasonable conduct that supports a specific group". He plans to appeal to FIFA's competitions committee, warning of consequences for ideological messaging in stadiums.[10][11]
Egypt's Football Association sent a letter to FIFA rejecting any homosexuality supporting initiatives, citing shared cultural, religious sensitivities and violations of FIFA's neutrality rules under Article 4. PMAC insists the event will proceed, emphasizing soccer's unifying power across cultures.[10][11]
Organizers
PMAC said the Pride themed game was planned long ago and should go on as scheduled. They argue that sports can bring people together across different cultures.[7]
LGBTQ supporters and allies
LGBTQ supporters, alomg with allied organizations, see the match as a chance to show support for inclusion, even though some of the teams come from countries where being gay is illegal. They hope football can be used as a global platform for acceptance.[7]
Worldwide media
Many international media outlets highlighted the irony of the “Pride Match”, which features two nations known for punishing homosexuality harshly (death penalty in Iran, criminalization in Egypt) may become a flashpoint.[5][6]
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