{"id":36485,"date":"2026-06-17T13:52:23","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T13:52:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/17\/iran-and-egypt-face-off-in-seattle-world-cup-pride-match\/"},"modified":"2026-06-17T13:52:23","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T13:52:23","slug":"iran-and-egypt-face-off-in-seattle-world-cup-pride-match","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/17\/iran-and-egypt-face-off-in-seattle-world-cup-pride-match\/","title":{"rendered":"Iran and Egypt face off in Seattle World Cup “Pride Match”"},"content":{"rendered":"
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SEATTLE (AP) \u2014 Egypt and Iran are two of the most repressive places in the world for gays and lesbians. However, by pure coincidence, they end up facing each other. world cup<\/span> Pride Match, held in conjunction with Seattle’s annual celebration LGBTQ+ community<\/span>.<\/p>\n
it has It’s already starting to feel awkward<\/span>both countries have called for the cancellation of the celebrations.<\/p>\n
Homosexuality is illegal in Iran gay man executed<\/span> He had separately requested that the game be moved outside the United States due to the sodomy charges. war in the middle east<\/span>the request was rejected by FIFA.<\/p>\n
Egypt is Homosexuals and lesbians arrested and prosecuted<\/span> Based on vague obscenity laws, it has cracked down on outward expressions of pride in particular. waving a rainbow flag<\/span>. They will be in large numbers during the game on June 26th and during the annual lively parade just outside the stadium.<\/p>\n
Activists are optimistic<\/h2>\n
Both countries filed complaints with FIFA in December. The Egyptian Football Association said it “categorically refuses to carry out activities related to supporting (homosexuality) during matches.” FIFA, whose powers are limited to the stadium itself, appears to have ignored their protests.<\/p>\n
Leaders in the LGBTQ+ community hope the match will contribute to positive change.<\/p>\n
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Sasha Peretti dances on the Greater Seattle Business Association float during the annual Seattle Pride Parade in Seattle on June 25, 2023. (AP Photo\/Lindsay Wasson, File)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
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Sasha Peretti dances on the Greater Seattle Business Association float during the annual Seattle Pride Parade in Seattle on June 25, 2023. (AP Photo\/Lindsay Wasson, File)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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State Sen. Jamie Pedersen, one of several openly gay members of the Washington State Legislature, said it was “very appropriate” for the match to feature countries where LGBTQ+ people are not welcome and would convey “a positive image of people in the community.”<\/p>\n
“If you were to try to import a Pride festival into Egypt or Iran, obviously it could be a disaster,” he says. “But I can’t imagine that being a significant issue in a community like Seattle, which prides itself on welcoming people from all over the world.”<\/p>\n
FIFA is not immune to this problem either.<\/h2>\n
This is not the first time organizers of the world’s biggest sporting event have had to deal with sensitive issues regarding their treatment of the LGBTQ+ community.<\/p>\n
Gulf state Qatar, which hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup, has vague laws that criminalize “immoral acts” including sodomy. He said everyone was welcome to the tournament. Including visits from LGBTQ+ fans.<\/span>asks visitors to respect the country’s conservative culture.<\/p>\n
Following reports from some Wales fans, It was stopped<\/span> The Welsh Football Association has announced that it has been informed by FIFA that rainbow bucket hats and flags are not allowed in stadiums, but that Pride flags will be allowed for the match against Iran, despite having requested a ban.<\/p>\n
FIFA treats the rainbow flag as a human rights statement and will allow fans to wave it inside Seattle stadiums, said Hana Tadesse, spokesperson for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Seattle.<\/p>\n
\u201cMessage\u201d to Iran and Egypt<\/h2>\n
Seattle Pride, the nonprofit organization that organizes the city’s annual parade, encourages people to celebrate however they choose.<\/p>\n
The proximity to World Cup events will provide an opportunity for visitors to “experience Seattle pride and the values \u200b\u200bthat define our community: visibility, resilience and joy,” the statement said.<\/p>\n
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Iran’s Ramin Rezean, 23, celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal during the Soccer World Cup Group G match between Iran and New Zealand in Inglewood, California, near Los Angeles, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo\/Andre Penner)<\/figcaption><\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
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Iran’s Ramin Rezean, 23, celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal during the Soccer World Cup Group G match between Iran and New Zealand in Inglewood, California, near Los Angeles, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo\/Andre Penner)<\/p>\n
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Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shbir, 23, makes a save during the World Cup Soccer Group G match between Belgium and Egypt in Seattle on Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo\/Manu Fernandes)<\/figcaption><\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
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Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shbir, 23, makes a save during the World Cup Soccer Group G match between Belgium and Egypt in Seattle on Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo\/Manu Fernandes)<\/p>\n
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Andrew Asioff, a member of the Seattle LGBTQ+ Commission, said the flag would send a “message” to Iran and Egypt that “we are a free city, a welcoming city that celebrates all people, all races, all sexual orientations, all gender identities.”<\/p>\n
Local authorities say they are determined to provide a safe and secure tournament and have not identified any specific security issues.<\/p>\n
Pedersen said LGBTQ+ fans will be able to safely celebrate their identities on an international stage.<\/p>\n
“We don’t know how many people from Iran and Egypt will tune in,” he said. “They’re probably going to see images of happy LGBTQ people celebrating the holiday, and (that) is great from my perspective. That’s what pride is all about.”<\/p>\n
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AP Soccer: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/soccer<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n