By Dylan Bettencourt
- The match falls during Seattle Pride weekend and organisers plan to celebrate with art and events at the stadium.
- Both countries punish same-sex relationships and say the event violates Fifa rules on political and social neutrality.
Football and politics are clashing again ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Egypt and Iran have united to demand that Fifa bans LGBTQ+ Pride celebrations during their group match.
The game is set for 26 June in Seattle in the United States.
This date lands right in the middle of the city’s Pride weekend. Local organisers have called it a “Pride Match” and plan to feature art and celebrations at the stadium.
But the two nations are having none of it.
Both Egypt and Iran have strict laws against same-sex relationships. In Iran, the punishment can even be death.
The Egyptian Football Association wrote to Fifa demanding a stop to the events. They say it clashes with their religious and cultural values, The Guardian reported.
They warned that the celebrations could upset fans and cause trouble.
The association says the game must focus only on football. They point to Fifa’s own rules which call for neutrality during tournaments.
Iran is backing the move. Their football boss Mehdi Taj called the Pride plans an “irrational move”.
Fifa has not said anything publicly yet.
However, the organisation has a history of siding with conservative nations. In 2022, they stopped players from wearing “OneLove” armbands in Qatar by threatening them with yellow cards.
Now, all eyes are on Fifa to see if they will bow to pressure again.
Pictured above: A pride flag.
Image source: Pexels
