'Pride Match' at World Cup between Egypt and Iran sparks outrage: 'Absolutely no interest in rainbow colors'

Pulse Sports Team 04:24 - 27 June 2026

No other World Cup match had generated as much controversy beforehand. Iran and Egypt – two countries where homosexuality is legally prohibited – faced each other in Seattle on Friday, in a match the city had declared a Pride Match. The real battle had been fought weeks before kickoff.

Iran went to great lengths to prevent their World Cup match against Egypt in Seattle from being declared a 'Pride Match' by the local community, in honor of the LGBTQI+ movement. "We have absolutely no interest in playing a World Cup match in rainbow colors," emphasized Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, to state media earlier. Taj stated that the June 26th match coincides with the holy month of Muharram, during which Shiite Muslims commemorate the death of the third Imam Husayn ibn Ali.

Islamic Sin Punishable by Death

According to Taj, the Pride Match is considered an insult to Islamic values and sacred traditions in Iran, where homosexuality is deemed a sin and can even lead to the death penalty. Homosexuality is also illegal in Egypt, which likewise protested the Pride Match in a letter to FIFA, the world football governing body.

FIFA Has No Say

The match was designated a 'Pride Match' even before the World Cup draw and marks the kickoff of Seattle's annual PrideFest weekend. FIFA only has jurisdiction over stadiums and the official fan festival in World Cup host cities, not over activities by local communities such as Seattle's PrideFest.

Essential Part of the City

According to Hana Tadesse of the Seattle World Cup organizing committee, the LGBTQI+ community is an essential part of the city. Iran is one of the countries with the largest Muslim populations, with approximately 98 percent being Muslim. Opponent Egypt has a slightly lower, but still dominant, Muslim population, with ninety percent Muslim and five to ten percent Christian.

On-Field Spectacle

The action on the field started quickly. Egypt took an early lead in the fifth minute through Mahmoud Saber, after a Salah shot fell to his feet. Iran seemed poised to equalize just before halftime with a penalty, but Taremi's effort was saved by the goalkeeper. Nevertheless, Iran drew level when Rezaeian struck a powerful shot into the top corner. Meanwhile, rainbow flags were prominently displayed in large numbers throughout the stands.