In a statement to The Athletic on Wednesday night, the Iran Football Federation did not call the LGBTQ+ community by name, simply referring to it as \u201cthis movement.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Infantino](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/gianni-infantino-scaled.jpg\")
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\n Infantino said \u201cthere will be no \u2018Pride Match\u2019 in January (Patrick T. Fallon \/ AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
In response to an enquiry by The Athletic, a spokesperson for the Iran national team said: \u201cThe Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran takes this matter seriously and has clearly communicated its position to FIFA.<\/p>\n
\u201cIran and Egypt are two Muslim countries with deep cultural and religious commonalities, and the views expressed by both federations reflects the values and beliefs shared by the people of both countries.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur position is that no ceremonies, or promotional activities associated with this movement should be present inside the stadium or as part of the match environment. This position has been communicated to FIFA through the appropriate channels.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe FIFA should take into account the views and concerns of the participating teams when considering matters related to the match environment and stadium presentation.<\/p>\n
\u201cFIFA has been informed of this shared position by both countries and is expected to take the necessary steps to ensure that no related ceremonies or promotional activities take place within the stadium or as part of the official match environment.\u201d<\/p>\n
The spokesperson added that the Iranian federation has relayed to FIFA that it does not wish to see symbols or representations of the \u201cmovement\u201d within the stadium.<\/p>\n
The spokesperson added that the Iranian federation has relayed to FIFA that it does not wish to see symbols or representations of the \u201cmovement\u201d within the stadium.<\/p>\n
In a statement on Wednesday to The Athletic, FIFA said it considers this World Cup to be an \u201cinclusive event\u201d and added that \u201crainbow flags and other flags representing sexual orientation and gender identity are permitted under the FIFA World Cup 2026 Stadium Code of Conduct.\u201d<\/p>\n
The branding by Seattle organizers \u2014 with its committee having representation on its board from executives from Seattle Reign FC of the NWSL, MLS team Seattle Sounders FC, the Seattle Sports Commission, and the NFL\u2019s Seattle Seahawks, as well as Sounders owner Adrian Hanauer \u2014 of the \u201cPride Match\u201d was decided in advance of the World Cup draw being made in December.<\/p>\n
FIFA\u2019s central headquarters did not have a role in the Pride initiative, which was conceived by the Seattle host committee, and it is not clear what has actually been planned within the stadium itself for matchday.<\/p>\n
The local host committees do not have the power or scope to impose initiatives inside tournament venues, as all World Cup programming is led by FIFA\u2019s centrally. According to sources familiar with the planning, the main programming planned by the Seattle host committee is intended to be outside of the stadium perimeter, which is not under FIFA\u2019s jurisdiction. As of Wednesday evening, the Seattle host committee did not set out any in-stadium activation, but local soccer fans in Seattle may wish to bring rainbow flags in on the occasion of Pride weekend.<\/p>\n
The broad-brush description of a Pride Match back in December, widely reported by global media, appeared to give the impression that there would be an organized Pride feature in Lumen Field.<\/p>\n
As such, when the group-stage fixture schedule was confirmed, the Seattle committee encountered a predicament: the Pride Match was suddenly Egypt vs. Iran, meaning a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community as shoulder programming for a game involving two nations that criminalize same-sex relations. This immediately triggered a backlash from the soccer federations of Egypt and Iran<\/a>, both of whom immediately sought to halt any link to Pride events.<\/p>\n \n Lumen Field will host FIFA\u2019s Pride Match on Friday. (Alex Grimm \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n The Human Dignity Trust says the Iranian state criminalizes gay people<\/a>, as well as same-sex sexual activity, and ultimately imposes a maximum penalty of death under its penal code. It also says Egypt prohibits same-sex sexual activity<\/a>, with provisions for prison sentences and fines.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-2282370914-scaled.jpg\")
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