Egypt Criticizes FIFA Over Pride Match Announcement
Egypt has expressed strong disapproval towards FIFA. Recently, it was announced that Seattle would host a “Pride Match” on June 26 as part of the 2026 World Cup festivities. In response, Egypt submitted a formal letter requesting that these celebrations be postponed.
The match in question, to be held in Group G, will feature Egypt against Iran—both nations where homosexual acts are criminalized.
On Tuesday, the Egyptian Football Association issued a statement revealing that they “absolutely” reject any activities promoting support for the LGBTQ+ community during football matches. They argue that such themes contradict the “cultural, religious, and social values” of both nations and emphasize a focus strictly on the sport.
The letter sent to FIFA Secretary-General Matthias Grafström highlighted the need for a respectful environment for all fans. It stated that to preserve unity and peace, FIFA should refrain from including activities that could spark cultural or religious sensitivities among fans from Egypt and Iran. The Egyptian Federation firmly believes that such activities are incompatible with the cultures and beliefs of both countries.
Further concerns were echoed by Iranian officials. Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, noted that both Tehran and Cairo had raised issues surrounding the “Pride Match,” describing it as an “irrational act” that supports a particular group.
Nevertheless, the organization behind the LGBTQ+ festival informed the BBC that they would proceed with their plans for themed matches, asserting that “community programming is proceeding as planned.” The “Pride Match” has been scheduled for Lumen Field during Pride weekend in Seattle, occurring just before the upcoming 2026 World Cup draw and two days prior to the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.
This event is being organized by a local committee in Seattle and is not directly connected to FIFA. In light of these developments, Hana Tedesse, the vice president of communications for the Seattle 2026 World Cup, mentioned that the committee’s focus will be on city celebrations rather than the match itself, emphasizing football’s ability to bring people together across various cultures and communities.
In the context of previous events, the 2022 FIFA World Cup held in Qatar faced scrutiny regarding LGBTQ+ rights, as homosexuality remains illegal in the country. It was reported that players wearing “OneLove” armbands in support of LGBTQ+ rights would receive yellow cards, and displays of Pride-related materials were also restricted.
