According to TyC Sports, a rainbow-themed match between Iran and Egypt is scheduled for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Seattle, but the two national football associations have opposed the related activities.
This match was arranged before the FIFA World Cup draw, and the final draw determined that two Muslim countries would participate, neither of which recognizes homosexuality.
The match on June 26 at Lumen Field in Seattle has been designated as a rainbow-themed match since 2024, when the city on the US West Coast was confirmed as one of the FIFA World Cup host cities. At the time, no one anticipated that the December 2025 draw would pit Iran and Egypt against each other—two Muslim nations where same-sex relations are criminalized.
Since then, there have been formal protests, clarifications from FIFA, and external questions about Seattle's planned activities. Seattle typically concludes its Pride Parade on the last weekend of June. Below is a summary of the events and potential stadium situations.
What Is a "Rainbow-Themed Match"?
The weekend of June 27 and 28 marks the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York. The Stonewall Uprising is considered a significant milestone in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in the United States. Therefore, the Seattle organizing committee has designated the Friday match—the fourth of the city's six matches—as a "Pride Match" and has arranged other related events throughout the city.
Stance of the Iranian and Egyptian Football Associations
The FIFA World Cup draw took place on December 5, 2025. Four days later, the Egyptian Football Association issued a statement on its official website titled "Opposition to Pro-LGBTQ+ Activities During FIFA World Cup Matches." Iran subsequently joined, with Iranian officials stating in an interview with The New York Times: "The Football Association takes this matter seriously and has clearly communicated its position to FIFA."
Both Egypt and Iran are Muslim countries where same-sex relations are prohibited. In Egypt, this can lead to fines or imprisonment; in Iran, it can result in a death sentence.
Can Fans Bring Rainbow Flags Into the Stadium?
FIFA stated in an official announcement: "In accordance with the 2026 FIFA World Cup Stadium Code of Conduct, rainbow flags and other flags representing sexual orientation and gender identity are permitted in the stadium."
Even if such flags were not authorized by FIFA, it would be difficult to fully control them inside the stadium. In Iran, for example, the Lion and Sun flag has appeared many times—this flag was the official flag of Iran before the 1979 revolution and is waved by exiles in the United States.
FIFA also failed to prevent eight banners from being brought separately into a stadium in Los Angeles, which were then assembled to form "MINAB 168" to protest a U.S. airstrike on a primary school. That strike killed 168 people, most of them girls.
What FIFA and the Seattle Organizing Committee Said
FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated in an interview with Swiss media outlet Weltwoche in January: "I want to clarify that there will be no 'rainbow-themed match' at the FIFA World Cup. There will be a FIFA World Cup match in Seattle, and on the same day, events organized by external organizations will take place in the same city."
Hedda McClendon, a member of the Seattle organizing committee, emphasized that despite pressure from Egypt and Iran, the plans for a "Pride Match" have not been questioned. She told The Seattle Times: "This has always been about inclusion and visibility. Whether in Iran, Egypt, Qatar, or the United States, we can all do better when it comes to the inclusion and visibility of the LGBTQ+ community."
AF's PC site is now live! Browse full news, comments, match details and stats on your computer. Visit: www.allfootballapp.com
Pyis
0
Faggotry