Egypt and Iran have both lodged formal complaints with FIFA over their scheduled match in Seattle during the 2026 World Cup, where local authorities plan to hold a celebration for the LGBTQ community.
The football federations in both countries publicly rejected the idea of playing the June 26 match at Seattle’s stadium, where local organizers say the event will include “a once-in-a-lifetime moment to showcase and celebrate Washington State’s LGBTQ communities.”
In Egypt, the national federation issued a statement late Tuesday saying it had sent a letter to FIFA “categorically rejecting any activities related to supporting homosexuality during the match.”
Seattle has hosted the nonprofit-run “Seattle PrideFest” festival since 2007. The organization designated the June 26 match for the celebration before FIFA conducted the World Cup draw on Friday.
FIFA then selected June 26 for the Egypt–Iran match to be held in Seattle instead of Vancouver, where the other teams in their group—Belgium and New Zealand—will be playing at the same time.
Organizers in Seattle have already promoted an art contest tied to the match. One piece features a rainbow-colored sun rising over Mount Rainier as a crab-shaped goalkeeper moves toward a soccer ball while holding a cup of coffee in one claw.
Seattle’s newly elected mayor, Kate Wilson, wrote on social media: “We can show the world that in Seattle, everyone is welcome… What an incredible honor!”
FIFA controls only stadiums and official fan zones in host cities and has no formal authority over community events such as Seattle PrideFest.
Strong Reactions in Iran and Egypt
In Iran—where LGBTQ individuals can face the death penalty—Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj criticized the scheduling in a televised interview late Monday.
Taj said Iran would raise the issue at next week’s FIFA Council meeting in Qatar.
“We have objected, along with Egypt, because this is an unreasonable and illogical step that essentially expresses support for a particular group, and we must certainly address this,” he said. State TV confirmed Tuesday that a complaint would be sent to FIFA.
The Egyptian Football Association said it “completely rejects such activities, which directly contradict the cultural, religious, and social values of the region, especially in Arab and Islamic societies.”
It urged FIFA to halt the celebration “to avoid activities that may provoke cultural and religious sensitivities among fans from both countries, Egypt and Iran, especially since such activities are inconsistent with the cultures and religions of the two nations.”
Seattle Responds
When asked Wednesday about the complaints, Seattle’s organizing committee said it is “moving forward as planned with our community programming off the pitch during Pride weekend and throughout the tournament.”
For years, Egyptian police have targeted LGBTQ people. While Egypt does not technically criminalize homosexuality, authorities frequently prosecute LGBTQ individuals under charges of “debauchery” or “public indecency.”
Iran has also targeted LGBTQ communities, and its hardline religious system is believed to have executed thousands of people over their sexual orientation since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
FIFA risks accusations of double standards if it sides with World Cup teams over the city of Seattle. During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, FIFA staunchly defended the host nation’s right to have its cultural norms fully respected by visiting teams.
