Organisers of the 2026 World Cup events in Seattle confirmed on Wednesday that LGBTQ-focused celebrations surrounding next year's group-stage meeting between Egypt and Iran will continue as planned, despite formal complaints lodged by officials from both countries.
The match, scheduled for 26 June and designated locally as the tournament’s “Pride Match,” is set to coincide with Seattle’s annual LGBTQ Pride Weekend, forming part of a broader programme designed to showcase and support the city's LGBTQ community.
In a statement provided to US media, Hana Tadesse, vice president of communications for the Seattle 2026 organising committee, reiterated that the city's planned events will go ahead unchanged.
“SeattleFWC26 is moving forward as planned with our community programming outside the stadium during Pride Weekend and throughout the tournament,” Tadesse said. She added that the initiative includes partnerships with LGBTQ leaders, artists, and local businesses to elevate existing Pride celebrations across Washington state.
Tadesse emphasised the unifying nature of sport and the region’s diverse population.
“Football has a unique power to unite people across borders, cultures, and beliefs,” she said. “The Pacific Northwest is home to one of the nation’s largest Iranian-American communities, a thriving Egyptian diaspora, and rich communities representing all nations we’re hosting in Seattle. We're committed to ensuring all residents and visitors experience the warmth, respect, and dignity that defines our region.”
Officials in both Iran and Egypt have criticised the planned Pride-themed programming.
Homosexuality remains illegal in Iran, where it is punishable by death under Islamic law. Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, told Iran’s ISNA news agency that both Tehran and Cairo had lodged objections, calling the Pride-related events an “irrational move that supports a certain group.” He did not specifically reference the “Pride Match” designation.
Iranian state television reported on Monday that the country intended to appeal to FIFA over the issue.
According to Egyptian media citing unnamed sources, the Egyptian Football Association has expressed similar concerns. While homosexuality is not explicitly criminalised in Egypt, it is frequently prosecuted under broad statutes concerning “debauchery.”
The Seattle organising committee has not indicated any plans to alter or scale back the LGBTQ-inclusive programming, maintaining that its approach aligns with the city’s values and the tournament’s broader mission of celebrating diversity.
