World Cup 'Pride Match': FIFA refuses to ban rainbow flags despite Iran, Egypt objections
Article excerpt
FIFA has rejected calls from Iran and Egypt to ban rainbow flags at their World Cup match in Seattle on Friday, despite both countries objecting to local Pride-themed celebrations linked to the fixture. FIFA says LGBTQ+ flags are permitted at all World Cup games under its Code of Conduct, despite different rules in Qatar's 2022 tournament. While FIFA has distanced itself from the city's events, it has made clear rainbow flags will be allowed for the games.
FIFA said on Thursday that fans will be permitted to bring pride flags to the World Cup match in Seattle between Iran and Egypt, despite Iranian objections and the soccer organization’s ban on “political items.”
The World Cup’s draw prompted pushback from both countries when it was first decided in December because it is scheduled for June 26 at Seattle Stadium during the city’s Pride Weekend; each primarily Muslim nation has criminal penalties for homosexuality. Seattle organizers have branded the game as the “Pride match.”
“The FIFA World Cup 2026 is an inclusive event that welcomes people from all backgrounds. Fans of all sexual orientations and gender identities are welcome at matches and events,” FIFA said in a statement. “General statements of human rights, including rainbow flags and other flags representing sexual orientation and gender identity, are permitted under the FIFA World Cup 2026 Stadium Code of Conduct and may be displayed inside stadiums.”
According to FIFA rules for the 2026 World Cup, players and officials are prohibited from displaying political, religious, or personal messages on their uniforms before, during, and after games. The same rule applies to players’ and officials’ language during matches.
The rule was enforced in 2022 after Qatari soccer captains wore “OneLove” armbands and were threatened with yellow cards.
The Iranian soccer team condemned FIFA’s permitting pride flags at games, saying gay pride is in direct contrast to the religious values of Egypt and Iran.
“Our 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,” Iran’s soccer federation told the Athletic. “We 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.”
The team added that it informed FIFA of the countries’ positions on the matter, and the Iranian federation told FIFA it does not wish to see representations of “the movement” at the stadium.
Seattle organizers said the “Pride match” branding was decided before Iran and Egypt were slated to play the June 26 match.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in January that the Pride celebrations and the soccer match are two separate events and are not in any way related.
“There will be a FIFA World Cup match in Seattle and, on the same day, events organized by external organizations will be taking place in the city. But that has nothing to do with the match itself,” Infantino said.
Seattle organizers were steadfast in their plans to host Pride festivities during the soccer match.
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“The Pride celebration … has happened on this weekend for 50-plus years,” Hedda McLendon, from Seattle’s local World Cup organizing committee, told Reuters. “It is going to happen this weekend, it is going to happen long after the World Cup.”
LGBT advocacy group Outright International is partnering with the host committee to distribute thousands of flags on Pride match day to both fans attending the match and people throughout the city, the group said, noting that its “presence is about standing with LGBTIQ people who too often are forced into silence or invisibility.”