Egypt, Iran object to Pride Match

[NovaKart]

Can I compromise be reached? I didn’t quote the entire article and there’s more info in the link.

The organisation behind the LGBTQ+ 'Pride Match' at the 2026 World Cup says it intends to push forward with plans despite Egypt objecting to Fifa.

The Egyptian Football Association said it has sent a formal letter to Fifa requesting the celebrations around their group game against Iran do not go ahead.

The local organising committee in Seattle, one of the host cities for the tournament next summer, said the match at Lumen Field on 26 June will feature celebrations of the LGBTQ+ community.

Seattle will host the Group G match between Egypt and Iran - countries where homosexuality is illegal.
In a statement on Tuesday the Egyptian FA said it has sent a formal letter to Fifa secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom, rejecting "in absolute terms" any activities linked to LGBTQ+ support during the match.

But the local organising committee told the BBC that it is "moving forward as planned with our community programming".

The game takes place on the weekend of Seattle Pride, and two days before the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots - generally regarded as the birth of the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

Plans were put in place before the teams involved in the fixture were selected, or the draw for the World Cup was made, and has been organised solely by the local committee and not affiliated with Fifa itself.

2026 World Cup: Seattle 'Pride Match' set to happen despite Egypt objections

The organisation behind the LGBTQ+ "Pride Match" at the 2026 World Cup say they intend to push forward with their plans despite one of the teams involved objecting to Fifa.

www.bbc.com

 

[danjuno]

Apparently FIFA is in the mood for trolling.

 

[Klaus Hergersheimer]

The local organising committee in Seattle, one of the host cities for the tournament next summer, said the match at Lumen Field on 26 June will feature celebrations of the LGBTQ+ community.
...
Hana Tedesse, vice-president of communications for Seattle Fifa World Cup 2026, said its plans focused on events around the city, rather than in Lumen Field or during the game itself.

so which one is it? or did the editor just miss this?

 

[NovaKart]

The local organising committee in Seattle, one of the host cities for the tournament next summer, said the match at Lumen Field on 26 June will feature celebrations of the LGBTQ+ community.
...
Hana Tedesse, vice-president of communications for Seattle Fifa World Cup 2026, said its plans focused on events around the city, rather than in Lumen Field or during the game itself.

so which one is it? or did the editor just miss this?

The statements are not entirely mutually exclusive. Maybe the events are focused elsewhere but there will be LGBT themed celebrations at the match.

 

[Klaus Hergersheimer]

Well if Egypt and Iran think there should be cops roaming through the crowds and swatting down any LGBT signage they come across, they can just stay at home and do it there. Freedom of speech shouldn't be suspended for the sake of any visitors coming to the US.

But if putting on any show that is not football is going to be integral to the event (i.e. it has to pause the game), those countries may at least have a point: nothing that isn't sports should matter.

I just don't know what to expect based on the slim reporting here...

 

[amadeus]

The lengthy Egyptian FA statement claimed the initiative would clash with "the cultural, religious and social values" of Egypt and Iran, and urged Fifa to ensure the match would remain focused on football.

Seattle, Egypt or Seattle, Iran? Someone help me.

Anyway, what a disgrace that we are going over to their countries and imposing our cultural values on them.

 

[GenMarshall]

As confused as the rest of everyone in this thread…

 

[Theov]

But for the rest - these cultures are totally compatible and live together very well.
Nothing can go wrong when we mix them.

 

[Birdjaguar]

I suggest pastel rainbow jerseys for one team and bright rainbow jerseys for the other.

 

[amadeus]

What if this is just a black ops campaign to try and get Americans to pay attention to soccer?

No way! I’m AMERICAN