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Iran protests Seattle Pride Match ahead of 2026 World Cup
Iran’s preparation for the 2026 World Cup has been disrupted by a dispute over Seattle’s decision to designate its group-stage match against Egypt as a “Pride Match,” coinciding with the city’s annual Pride weekend. The announcement has provoked strong diplomatic protests from both Iran and Egypt, who criticized the move as incompatible with their religious and cultural values.
Iranian football federation president Mehdi Taj expressed disapproval, stating that his country had “no interest” in seeing its national team play under rainbow symbols, especially during the holy month of Muharram. He said the federation would take steps to “prevent this from happening,” calling the decision “disrespectful and irrelevant to sport.” Egypt’s football association also sent a letter to FIFA, demanding that such celebrations not be held during the fixture, arguing that promoting LGBTQ+ support “contradicts the cultural and social principles of Arab and Islamic nations.”
Seattle organizers have confirmed, however, that community events tied to the Pride weekend will continue as planned, taking place outside official tournament venues. A spokesperson for the local organizing committee emphasized that these activities are independent of FIFA’s jurisdiction, which covers only the stadium and FIFA-branded fan zones.
The match between Iran and Egypt, set for June 26, 2026, reflects the broader challenge of blending global sporting spectacles with diverse cultural sensitivities. It also underscores growing tension between local host traditions in North America and the values of visiting nations from the Middle East. Iran is set to compete in Group G alongside New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt during the World Cup hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
