The head of the Iranian Football Federation has expressed his objection to the “illogical nature” of his country’s 2026 World Cup match against Egypt, which local organizers in the United States have indicated will be held in support of the LGBTQ+ community.
The organizing committee in Seattle, Washington, where the match is scheduled to take place next year, had previously announced its intention to hold the “Pride Match” to coincide with Pride Weekend in the northwestern city in late June.
Following last week’s FIFA draw, Egypt and Iran are now scheduled to face off in Seattle on June 26, the Friday before Pride Weekend.
The Iranian news agency ISNA quoted Mehdi Taj, head of the Iranian Football Federation, as saying that both Tehran and Cairo had raised “objections against this matter,” describing it as “an illogical step that favors a certain group.”
On Monday, Iranian state television reported that Tehran would file an “appeal” against FIFA regarding the issue. Meanwhile, the Egyptian Football Association expressed similar objections, according to local media reports.
Egypt and Iran are in the same group as Belgium and New Zealand for the 2026 World Cup, which kicks off on June 11 with a match between Mexico and South Africa.
