FIFA chose Iran and Egypt for LGBTQ+ Pride match, both refused | OneFootball

The 2026 World Cup draw produced a scene as unexpected as it was explosive: Iran and Egypt were scheduled to play the “LGBTQ+ Pride Match”, a game already designated by the host city before the groups were drawn. But both countries—where same-sex relationships are punishable by law—publicly refused to participate in an event associated with the LGBTQ+ movement, opening a new front of conflict that now falls on FIFA.

The clash between the two teams is scheduled for June 26 at Seattle’s Lumen Field, a date that coincides with the start of Pride weekend in the city. For months, the local organizing committee had determined that this match would be the “LGBTQ+ Pride Match”, a symbolic act of inclusion that had nothing to do with the participating teams. The draw simply decided that these two teams would be the protagonists.

The reaction was swift. “Both we and Egypt have protested. It is an unreasonable decision that seems to support a particular group. We will certainly address this matter,” declared Mahdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, in an interview with state television. The stance of both countries is clear: they consider it incompatible to participate in a match with that designation due to their internal laws.

Despite diplomatic pressure, the Seattle Pride Match Advisory Committee (PMAC), which is independent of FIFA, stated that it will maintain the planned celebration. The city’s mayor, Katie Wilson, also reaffirmed the local position with a welcoming message: “With matches on Juneteenth and during Pride, we can show the world that everyone is welcome in Seattle.”

FIFA, meanwhile, has not yet issued an official statement. The most recent precedent regarding LGBTQ+ issues at World Cups occurred in Qatar 2022, when the organization warned that players wearing the “OneLove” armband would be sanctioned, leading teams like England and Wales to desist.

Iran and Egypt share Group G with Belgium and New Zealand. Beyond the sporting aspect, the focus is on how FIFA will resolve a situation that combines international politics, human rights, and an already fixed schedule. The match on June 26 is already shaping up to be one of the most controversial of the entire World Cup.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.