Amid complaints, FIFA releases LGBT flags at Iran and Egypt's World Cup game

Iran and Egypt will play the "Pride Match" this Friday in Seattle.
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Fans will be able to take flags with the colors of the rainbow to the game between Egypt and Iran, this Friday (26), in Seattle, for the 2026 World Cup. The match was designated as the "Pride Match" by local organizers, and FIFA stated this Thursday (25) that the flags are allowed in stadiums because they represent human rights, despite protests from both countries.
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The Group G clash will be played during the weekend of LGBTQIA+ Pride celebrations in Seattle. The match was named "Pride Match" by the local organizing committee even before the group draw, held in December, which defined Egypt and Iran as opponents. In both countries, with a Muslim majority, homosexuality is criminalized.
After the draw, Egypt and Iran criticized the initiative. The Egyptian Football Federation stated that events of this type conflict with the country's cultural and religious values.
On Wednesday (24), the newspaper The Athletic published that the Iranian Football Federation declared that "no ceremonies or promotional activities associated with this movement should be present inside the stadium". Reuters reported that it contacted the entity, but received no response.
FIFA, however, reaffirmed that the World Cup "is an inclusive event that welcomes people from all backgrounds" and confirmed that rainbow flags can be taken to the games. statement.
FIFA also highlighted that the Pride celebrations are organized by Seattle's local committee, and not by football's governing body.
"There will be a World Cup match in Seattle and, on the same day, events organized by other institutions will take place in the city. But this has no relation to the game itself," said FIFA president Gianni Infantino, in an interview with the Swiss magazine Die Weltwoche, in January.
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"It's a human rights flag"
Seattle Pride executive director Patti Hearn celebrated FIFA's stance and told Reuters that "it's a human rights flag and that's why it's allowed inside the stadium." by Egypt and Iran, but added that LGBTQIA+ people exist everywhere.
"If we can provide the world with the opportunity to see and experience what it's like to be in a welcoming and inclusive environment, I think that's very positive," she said.
Bookda Gheisar, director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the Port of Seattle, who identifies as an Iranian-American lesbian woman, also commented on the situation.
She said there is a contradiction in hosting a match between Egypt and Iran over the weekend of Pride, but stated that this conflict is part of its own trajectory.
"I have lived with this contradiction for 40 years. And I am certainly not the only one", he declared.
Local organizers say that the visibility provided by the World Cup is an opportunity to promote inclusion.
"The Pride celebration has been taking place this weekend for more than 50 years. It will take place this year and will continue to exist long after the World Cup", said Hedda McLendon, member of the organizing committee Seattle location, to Reuters.

Source: G1