Egypt is on the attack against FIFA.
Following the announcement Seattle will host a “Pride Match” on June 26 as part of the 2026 World Cup, Egypt has sent a formal letter to the organization requesting the celebration to not commence.
The Group G match is between Egypt and Iran — two countries where homosexuality is illegal.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Egyptian Football Association said it rejected “in absolute terms” any experiences linked to support for the LGBTQ+ community during the match in a letter sent to FIFA secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom.
They also expressed that the theme would clash with “the cultural, religious and social values” of both countries and would prefer to solely focus on football.
“The Egyptian Football Association explained in the letter that, while FIFA is committed to ensuring a respectful and welcoming environment for all fans, and in order to maintain the spirit of unity and peace, it is necessary to avoid including activities that could provoke cultural and religious sensitivities between fans present from both countries, Egypt and Iran, especially since such activities are culturally and religiously incompatible with the two countries,” the statement read.
“The federation also relied on FIFA’s established principle of respecting cultures and encouraging all parties to organize events in a way that respects the beliefs and identities of the participating communities. Therefore, in order to ensure that the match is held in an atmosphere of respect and focus solely on the sporting aspect, the Egyptian Federation categorically rejects these calls and demands that FIFA not hold any events or performances related to supporting homosexuality inside the stadium on matchday.”
Concerns have also reportedly been voiced from Iran.
Head of Iran’s football federation Mehdi Taj was quoted by local news agency ISNA, explaining the cities of Tehran and Cairo both brought up “objections against the issue.” Taj went on to say the “Pride Match” plans are an “irrational move that supports a certain group.”
However, the organization behind the LGBTQ+ celebrations intends to push forward with the plans for the themed match, telling the BBC that it’s “moving forward as planned with our community programming.”
The “Pride Match” was planned to be played at Lumen Field during Seattle’s Pride weekend before teams were selected and before Friday’s 2026 World Cup Draw in Washington, D.C. The game is also set to take place two days before the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.
It was organized solely by the local Seattle organizing committee and is not directly associated with FIFA.
In response, vice president of communications for Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026 Hana Tedesse told the BBC that the committee plans to focus the celebrations and events in the city rather than during the game itself.
“As the local organizing committee, our role is to prepare our city to host the matches and manage the city experience outside of Seattle Stadium,” Tedesse told the BBC. “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 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar also had issues around LGBTQ+ rights in the Middle East. In Qatar, homosexuality is illegal and FIFA ruled that players who sported “OneLove” armbands in support of LGBTQ+ people would receive yellow cards.
Security also was strict on rainbow banners and other Pride-related logos and merch during the 2022 World Cup.
