Fans will be able to bring rainbow flags when Egypt faces Iran in Seattle’s designated World Cup “Pride Match,” FIFA said Thursday, creating an awkward collision between local celebrations and two nations where homosexuality is criminalized.
Friday’s pool match coincides with Pride weekend in Seattle, a calendar quirk that emerged only after the December draw pitted the two Muslim-majority countries against each other.
Egypt and Iran objected after the draw, with the Egyptian Football Association saying such events clashed with its cultural and religious values. Both countries impose severe sanctions on LGBTQ people.
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“The 2026 FIFA World Cup is an inclusive event that welcomes people of all backgrounds. Fans of all sexual orientations and gender identities are welcome at matches and events,” FIFA said in a statement.
“General human rights statements, including rainbow flags and other flags representing sexual orientation and gender identity, are permitted under the 2026 FIFA World Cup Stadium Code of Conduct and may be displayed inside stadiums.”
FIFA added that items will be allowed as long as they are used “in a manner consistent with the code,” which limits the size of flags or banners and prohibits items deemed “political.”
‘Pride Match’ organized by Seattle, not by FIFA
FIFA has distanced itself from the Pride festivities, emphasizing that the celebrations are organized by Seattle’s local World Cup committee and not the world soccer body.
“I must clarify that there will be no ‘Pride Match’ at the World Cup,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino told Swiss magazine Die Weltwoche in January.
Participants carry a rainbow flag along a street during the Pride parade in Montreal, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
“There will be a FIFA World Cup match in Seattle and, on the same day, events organized by outside organizations will be held in the city. But that has nothing to do with the match itself.”
At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, FIFA threatened captains wearing the “OneLove” armband with yellow cards, citing its rules against political slogans.
Seattle organizers are unfazed and see the spotlight as a platform to promote acceptance.
“The Pride celebration…has taken place this weekend for more than 50 years,” said Hedda McLendon of Seattle’s local World Cup organizing committee. told Reuters.
“It will happen this weekend, it will happen long after the World Cup.”
