FIFA dedicated the match between the national teams of Iran and Egypt to the LGBT community
FIFA required Muslim athletes to participate in a “pride match” using rainbow symbols contrary to their religious beliefs.
On June 26, 2026, in Seattle (USA), a football match of the third round of the World Cup group stage will take place between the national teams of Iran and Egypt, which FIFA leadership has dedicated to the LGBT community. This was reported by Nashaniva.
The city’s organizing committee announced the themed event even before the draw, effectively confronting the participants with an ideological agenda. Despite the fact that the football associations of both countries opposed this decision, federation officials refused to change the format of the game, citing the principles of “inclusivity and respect.”
In a joint statement, representatives of Egypt and Iran emphasized that such actions “contradict the cultural and religious values of the participating countries.” The head of the Football Federation of Iran, Mehdi Taj, directly called FIFA’s decision “an irrational step that supports a specific group” to the detriment of others’ interests.
Nevertheless, FIFA rejected the associations’ demands, stating that the regulations “cannot be changed in accordance with the demands of individual countries.” According to the organizers’ directive, themed symbols will be displayed at the stadium in Seattle, fans will be allowed to bring rainbow flags, and team captains will be required to wear armbands in support of LGBT.
At the same time, in Egypt homosexual relations are prohibited by law, and in Iran such actions are punishable by death. Eric Wall, a representative of the advisory committee in Seattle, stated that these celebrations are “part of Seattle’s culture,” which visiting teams are supposedly expected to respect.
As the UOJ reported, UEFA fined a French club over a banner with a Roman Catholic saint.
