Ironic LGBTQ+ Pride match at 2026 World Cup: both nations ban homosexuality | OneFootball

In an unprecedented twist in the organization of the 2026 World Cup, the so-called “LGBTQ+ Pride Match” will be played between Egypt and Iran, two countries where same-sex relationships are criminalized and, in some cases, even punishable by death.

The match will take place on June 26 in Seattle, right at the start of Pride weekend, and is part of the celebrations organized by the city’s Pride Match Advisory Committee, which has no direct affiliation with FIFA. The committee maintains that the designation seeks to raise visibility and support for LGBTQ+ communities, despite the ironic situation of having teams from countries with restrictive laws face each other.

The match presents a direct challenge for FIFA, which already faced criticism during the 2022 Qatar World Cup for similar situations, although in that case rainbow flags were allowed to be displayed in stadiums. For the Seattle committee, it is a “unique moment to showcase and celebrate LGBTQIA+ communities, ensuring an impact on society, culture, and local organizations.”

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