FIFA’s First Pride Match Set for Seattle — Iran vs. Egypt, Two Nations Where Same‑Sex Relations Are Criminalized

FIFA will stage its first-ever LGBTQ+ Pride Match on June 26 at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington — the opening day of the city’s annual Pride weekend. The fixture will pit Iran against Egypt, two countries where same-sex sexual activity remains a criminal offense.

Legal Context

In Egypt, male same-sex sexual activity is criminalized and can carry penalties including fines and imprisonment of up to three years. Iran’s Islamic Penal Code explicitly criminalizes several same-sex acts, using terms such as liwat (sodomy), tafkhiz (thigh sex) and musaheqeh (lesbian intercourse). Iran’s statutes provide for severe punishments, including corporal punishment and, in some instances, the death penalty; enforcement and legal application can vary.

Why the Match Is Controversial

The decision to designate a Pride Match featuring teams from countries that criminalize homosexuality recalls tensions from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, another nation with restrictive laws on same-sex relations. During that tournament, FIFA prohibited players from wearing “One Love” armbands in support of LGBTQ+ rights, and event security reportedly confiscated rainbow items from fans.

One high-profile episode saw U.S. soccer journalist Grant Wahl detained by security and asked to remove a rainbow T-shirt; Wahl, a vocal LGBTQ+ ally and critic of Qatar’s human rights record, later died of an aortic aneurysm. Organizers and commentators have since weighed how sporting events can responsibly promote inclusion while engaging teams from countries with repressive laws.

Local Responses

Eric Wahl — brother of Grant Wahl and an openly gay man — hailed the Seattle announcement on X, writing that the match is “a good thing” and underscores that LGBTQ+ people live everywhere and should be welcomed to be themselves in Seattle.

Katie Wilson, Seattle’s mayor-elect, said the Pride Match is an opportunity to show that “in Seattle, everyone is welcome,” and expressed excitement that the city will host World Cup matches on dates that overlap with Juneteenth and Pride.

Broader Human Rights Context

Human-rights organizations note that roughly 61 countries continue to criminalize consensual same-sex activity. The Pride Match in Seattle is being viewed by supporters as a symbolic moment of inclusion and by some critics as a complicated choice that raises questions about safety, diplomacy and the role of major sporting events in addressing human-rights issues.

As preparations continue, organizers, teams and human-rights groups will be watching closely for how the match is presented, what protections are in place for fans and players, and how FIFA navigates advocacy and diplomacy around LGBTQ+ inclusion.