FIFA allows LGBTQ+ flags at Egypt-Iran match in Seattle despite protests from both countries

FIFA officially confirmed on Thursday that fans will be free to carry rainbow flags at Lumen Field in Seattle for Friday's Group G decider between Egypt and Iran. The situation gained resonance because the game coincides with the annual festival Seattle PrideFest, which has been held by a local non-profit organization since 2007 (the date was decided long before the draw of the tournament). The leaders of the Egyptian and Iranian football federations have publicly condemned the situation, stressing that such measures are against their religious and cultural values. Despite the pressure, the organizers of the tournament remained steadfast in their decision. FIFA released an official statement on Thursday: "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. "General human rights statements, including rainbow flags and other flags symbolizing sexual orientation and gender identity, are permitted by the 2026 FIFA World Cup Stadium Code of Conduct and may be displayed inside stadiums provided they are used in accordance with the code," the statement said. FIFA also reminded that they only control stadiums and official fan zones, and have no authority to influence the city's public events, such as Pride Fest. Representatives of both countries try to distance themselves as much as possible from discussing non-football topics. Iran's position: At the pre-match press conference, a FIFA representative immediately warned reporters that Iran head coach Amir Galenoi and goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand would only answer questions about the game. "I said we are here to play football. Nothing else. All our attention will be focused on tomorrow's game... And everything else that is prohibited... we don't want to talk about it," Galenoi said. Egypt's position: Even after last year's draw, the Egyptian Football Federation sent an official letter to FIFA. In it, the federation stated that it categorically rejects any activity related to the support of homosexuality during the match. To ease the tension, FIFA referred to a January interview by its president, Gianni Infantino, with Die Weltwoche: "First of all, I have to clarify that there will be no Pride match at the FIFA World Cup. Seattle will host a FIFA World Cup match and there will be events organized by external organizations in the city on the same day. But this has nothing to do with the match itself." Journalists and fans are paying attention to a striking change in FIFA's rhetoric compared to the previous World Cup. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the organization resolutely defended the cultural norms of the host country: European national teams were banned from wearing One Love captain's armbands under threat of sanctions. Qatari law enforcement officers and stewards forced fans (in particular, fans of the Wales national team) to remove their rainbow caps and other paraphernalia before entering stadiums. For the decisive match of the group stage, the national teams of Egypt and Iran fit in first and second place, respectively. The start of the match is scheduled for June 27, the starting whistle will sound at 06:00.