World Cup 2026: Seattle set for Iran-Egypt match amid ‘Pride Match’ controversy
Seattle's stadium is expected to be brimming with rainbow flags on Friday for a World Cup match between teams representing two of the most repressive countries for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
It was just a coincidence that the city's “Pride Match” ended up as a high-stakes matchup between Iran and Egypt — with advancement from Group G still up in the air — and the move has come with plenty of pushback from both countries. But Seattle officials and its football community say this distinctive pairing is an opportunity to showcase the city's inclusivity as well as the common ground that can be found at the World Cup.
Jess Fishlock, captain of the National Women's Soccer League club Seattle Reign, said this is what the World Cup is all about.
“I don't think there is a sport that has a global event that creates unity and diversity and a bringing together of so many cultures quite like the World Cup,” she told The Associated Press on Thursday. “I think we get to see that firsthand at the Pride Match.”
Same-sex relations are illegal in Iran, where gay men have been executed on sodomy charges, while Egypt has prosecuted gay and lesbian people and suppressed outward expressions of gay pride, including rainbow flags.
In December, both countries asked for the Pride-themed celebrations to be canceled. FIFA treats the rainbow flag as a statement of human rights and will allow fans to wave it inside the stadium, according to Hana Tadesse, a spokesperson for Seattle's World Cup organising committee.
Iran, Egypt try to focus on football
Iranian and Egyptian players and team officials avoided talking about Pride Match Thursday and have tried to focus on their game despite the persistent questioning from journalists.
Daniel Marin, FIFA's executive director of public relations, read a statement on behalf of the Iranian team in light of the Pride celebration in Seattle on Friday.
“This Islamic Republic of the Iran Football Federation has asked us to inform the media that they are only willing to answer questions in relation to the game,” Marin said. “We fully respect the right of all journalists to ask questions. In this case, we ask you respect the rights of the federation here today to only answer questions in relation to the team, the tactics, the match, and so on.”
Nonetheless, Amir Ghalenoei was peppered with questions about what will transpire inside Lumen Field and around the stadium on Friday.
Egypt took a similar approach to the Iranians in trying to steer the conversation back to the match and away from the Pride festivities. At Thursday's practice at Husky Soccer Stadium in Seattle, Egypt players were barred from answering questions about Pride. Team staffers stepped in and would not allow reporters to ask such questions.
“We are all focused on football,” Egypt coach Hossam Hassan said in Arabic. "This is all that we think about.”
With a win, Iran could advance to the tournament's knockout stage for the first time.
“I said to you earlier we are here to play football. For nothing else,” Ghalenoei said in response to a reporter's question in Farsi. “Our entire focus is going to be on tomorrow's game, on succeeding in tomorrow's game. And, anything else that is banned ... we don't want to speak about it.
“We are only going to speak about football, what a beautiful game it is, and how enjoyable it's going to be.”
Iran has faced numerous complications off the field. The team has endured travel restrictions imposed by the US Department of Homeland Security in light of the war in Iran.
The match on Friday coincides with Seattle's annual celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and Pride watch parties are planned in some neighbourhoods. Over the weekend, the city will hold its popular Pride parade.
Ilona Lohrey, president and CEO of the Greater Seattle Business Association, an LGBTQ+ chamber of commerce, described Seattle as one of the most inclusive cities in the country.
“I think it gives us an opportunity to showcase who we are as a city, who we are as a people and how diversity makes us stronger,” Lohrey said in an interview.
(FRANCE 24 with AP)