(LifeSiteNews) — A planned “Pride Match” at next year’s FIFA World Cup in North America is facing pushback from Iran and Egypt.
The soccer federation recently released its matchups for the tournament, which will be hosted in Mexico, the United States, and Canada. But the Egypt and Iran match clashes with an LGBT group’s plan to celebrate homosexuality and transgenderism in conjunction with the game.
The “Pride Match” is not an official designation by FIFA, but rather the local host committee and LGBT activists.
“Seattle PrideFest has been organized in the city since 2007 by a non-profit which designated the June 26 game for celebration before FIFA made the World Cup draw Friday,” according to the Associated Press (AP). The soccer match coincides with Seattle PrideFest.
READ: Liberal Seattle to host World Cup ‘Pride’ match between nations that criminalize homosexuality
“Both Egypt and we have objected, because this is an unreasonable and illogical move that essentially signals support for a particular group, and we must definitely address this point,” Medhi Taj, with Iran’s Football Federation told state media, the AP reported.
Ado Rida, Taj’s counterpart in Egypt, noted that the predominantly Islamic country “completely rejects such activities, which directly contradict the cultural, religious and social values in the region, especially in Arab and Islamic societies.”
Seattle FIFA World CUP 2026, the local host committee, has no plans to intervene against the celebration, which will likely offend practicing Muslims who oppose homosexuality as sinful. Both Egypt and Iran punish homosexuality.
“The Pacific Northwest is home to one of the nation’s largest Iranian-American communities, a thriving Egyptian diaspora and rich communities representing all nations we’re hosting in Seattle,” Hana Tadesse told the AP. “We’re committed to ensuring all residents and visitors experience the warmth, respect and dignity that defines our region.”
Meanwhile, the New York Times suggests there might be conflict with FIFA rules that forbid the matches from being used to push a political agenda.
“The soccer body’s ethical codes, specifically Article 4, call for neutrality regarding political and social issues, and players who violate the code could face punishment that includes a ban on playing soccer for up to two years,” the news outlet reported. This could also, in theory, be used to punish players who protest the LGBT agenda.
“During World Cup 2022, FIFA warned players against wearing L.G.B.T.Q. OneLove rainbow armbands that were meant to bring attention to gay rights in Qatar, and it said they would be handed yellow warning cards on the pitch if they wore them,” the Times reported.