Egypt submits first official request to FIFA ahead of the World Cup 2026 — and the reason is the Iran match! | OneFootball

Tension builds around Egypt & Iran fixture

Egypt submits first official request to FIFA ahead of the World Cup 2026 — and the reason is the Iran match!

The Egyptian Football Association EFA has officially asked FIFA to halt LGBTQ+ celebratory activities planned around Egypt’s 2026 World Cup group stage match against Iran in Seattle.

The fixture scheduled for 26 June at Seattle’s Lumen Field coincides with the city’s annual Pride events prompting the local World Cup organising committee to brand it a “Pride Match.”

Both Egypt & Iran oppose the initiative describing it as incompatible with their cultural and religious values.

Egypt sends formal letter to FIFA

In statement issued on Tuesday, the EFA announced it has sent letter to FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom rejecting “in absolute terms” any activities linked to LGBTQ+ support.

The association argued that:

Egypt stressed that while FIFA aims to ensure welcoming environment for all fans, activities of contentious nature should not be held inside the stadium on matchday.

The Seattle local organising committee responded saying plans will proceed as scheduled.

A spokesperson told the BBC the programming is intended for community spaces around the city not inside the stadium or during the match and the event was planned before the draw took place meaning the committee had not known which teams would feature in the fixture.

Iranian Federation Also Objects

Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj told state media the decision is “irrational” and that both Iran and Egypt oppose the plans.

However the BBC reported that Iran has not submitted an official appeal to FIFA.