Seattle, one of the most progressive cities in the U.S., has designated the June 26 World Cup match at Lumen Field as its official "Pride Match," the first of its kind in FIFA World Cup history. Scheduled during Pride Week and aimed at celebrating LGBTQ+ inclusion, the event now faces intense scrutiny after Saturday’s match draw revealed that the game will feature Egypt versus Iran — two nations known for severe human rights violations against LGBTQ+ individuals.
Both Egypt and Iran criminalize same-sex relations, with Iran’s penal code allowing for the death penalty in extreme cases. Human Dignity Trust has documented recent enforcement of such laws in both countries. The matchup places FIFA and the local Seattle organizing committee in a delicate position as they push forward with a celebration of Pride during a game involving two anti-LGBTQ+ regimes.
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Seattle Sounders fans display banner at Pride game against Austin in MLS
(Photo: Lindsey Wasson/AP)
Seattle’s Pride Match Advisory Committee (PMAC), tasked with shaping the messaging and community events around the Pride Match, insists the celebration will proceed. A PMAC spokesperson told Outsports.
“The Pride Match has been scheduled to celebrate and elevate Pride events in Seattle and across the country, and it was planned well in advance," the spokesperson said. It is a Host City–led expression of Seattle and Washington State’s commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone belongs: players, fans, residents, and visitors alike. Soccer has a unique power to unite people across borders, cultures and beliefs.”
Seattle will host six matches during the 2026 World Cup. Adjusting the Pride Match proved complex, as other dates were already dedicated to symbolic observances — including the June 19 U.S. vs. Australia match, marking Juneteenth. Other group-stage games in Seattle also involve Egypt or Qatar, another nation where homosexuality is criminalized.
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Mohamed Salah and Ibrahim Adel of the Egyptian national team celebrate(
(Photo: Abdel Majid Bziouat / AFP)
Despite the controversy, PMAC member Eric Wahl — brother of late journalist Grant Wahl, who died while covering the 2022 World Cup in Qatar — said the Egypt-Iran matchup could serve as a powerful moment. An LGBTQ+ advocate and public health expert, Wahl wrote on social media that the pairing might actually be “a good thing” by placing global attention on LGBTQ+ rights.
Incoming Seattle Mayor-elect Kate Wilson echoed the city’s inclusive vision: “We get to show the world that in Seattle, everyone is welcome. What an incredible honor for our city!”
The Pride Match sharply contrasts with Qatar’s 2022 World Cup, where rainbow-colored items were banned, fans were harassed, and Grant Wahl himself was detained for wearing a Pride-themed shirt. The Seattle match now represents not just a celebration of Pride, but also a symbolic stand for global LGBTQ+ rights — in a sport that continues to wrestle with its role on the political stage.