Egypt protests planned pride celebrations for World Cup game vs. Iran Reuters December 9, 2025 at 4:55 PM 0 Egypt's Football Association said on Tuesday it had sent a letter to FIFA urging the governing body to prevent any LGBTQ+ Priderelated activities during the national team's World Cup match against Iran in Seattle next June. The EFA argues in the letter that such events would clash with the cultural and religious values of the nations participating in the match. The fixture on June 26 has been designated by local organisers as a "Pride Match" to coincide with Seattle's Pride weekend.
- - Egypt protests planned pride celebrations for World Cup game vs. Iran
Reuters December 9, 2025 at 4:55 PM
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Egypt's Football Association said on Tuesday it had sent a letter to FIFA urging the governing body to prevent any LGBTQ+ Pride-related activities during the national team's World Cup match against Iran in Seattle next June.
The EFA argues in the letter that such events would clash with the cultural and religious values of the nations participating in the match.
The fixture on June 26 has been designated by local organisers as a "Pride Match" to coincide with Seattle's Pride weekend.
The two nations involved in the match - Egypt and Iran - impose severe penalties on LGBTQ+ people.
Reports said the plans, which include LGBTQ+ celebrations and artwork displays around the stadium and across Seattle, were drawn up before the tournament draw confirmed the Group G fixture.
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In its letter to FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom, the EFA said it "categorically rejects any activities promoting LGBTQ during the match," warning that such events could "provoke cultural and religious sensitivities among fans."
"These activities directly conflict with the cultural, religious and social values of the region, particularly in Arab and Islamic societies," the EFA wrote.
"While FIFA is committed to ensuring a respectful environment that welcomes all fans, it is essential to avoid activities that could spark tension or misunderstanding between supporters from Egypt and Iran."
"We call on FIFA to guarantee that the match takes place in an atmosphere focused solely on sport and free from displays that contradict the beliefs of the participating nations."
The EFA said its position was based on FIFA's statutes, "specifically Article 4, which emphasizes neutrality in political and social matters during FIFA competitions," and on disciplinary regulations that require tournaments to remain free of "manifestations that could cause tension or conflict among fans."
In Iran, same-sex relations can carry the death penalty, while in Egypt morality laws are often used to prosecute LGBTQ+ people.
The event is organised by the local committee and is not affiliated with FIFA. FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent by email.
At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, FIFA threatened yellow cards for players wearing the "OneLove" armband in support of LGBTQ+ rights, prompting teams including England and Wales to abandon plans to use it.
Brazil – 23rd appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Brazil – 23rd appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/SiGCqMc class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Brazil – 23rd appearance
">Brazil – 23rd appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/SiGCqMc class=caas-img>United States of America – 12th appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>United States of America – 12th appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/83sF7Sp class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
United States of America – 12th appearance
">United States of America – 12th appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/83sF7Sp class=caas-img>Mexico – 18th appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Mexico – 18th appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Mv6y1W9 class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Mexico – 18th appearance
">Mexico – 18th appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/Mv6y1W9 class=caas-img>England – 17th appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>England – 17th appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/6nf7Ww0 class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
England – 17th appearance
">England – 17th appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/6nf7Ww0 class=caas-img>Portugal – ninth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Portugal – ninth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/vIOqDth class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Portugal – ninth appearance
">Portugal – ninth appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/vIOqDth class=caas-img>France – 17th appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>France – 17th appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/DUQWG9k class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
France – 17th appearance
">France – 17th appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/DUQWG9k class=caas-img>Spain – 17th appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Spain – 17th appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/jGs9Bip class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Spain – 17th appearance
">Spain – 17th appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/jGs9Bip class=caas-img>Iran – seventh appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Iran – seventh appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/HGDXI8b class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Iran – seventh appearance
">Iran – seventh appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/HGDXI8b class=caas-img>Switzerland – 13th appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Switzerland – 13th appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/8cDtMU3 class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Switzerland – 13th appearance
">Switzerland – 13th appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/8cDtMU3 class=caas-img>Croatia – seventh appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Croatia – seventh appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/n7AMs6I class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Croatia – seventh appearance
">Croatia – seventh appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/n7AMs6I class=caas-img>Australia – seventh appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Australia – seventh appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/BIK94kt class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Australia – seventh appearance
">Australia – seventh appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/BIK94kt class=caas-img>Morocco – seventh appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Morocco – seventh appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/c4aPkyt class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Morocco – seventh appearance
">Morocco – seventh appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/c4aPkyt class=caas-img>Austria – eighth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Austria – eighth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Wx6XRld class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Austria – eighth appearance
">Austria – eighth appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/Wx6XRld class=caas-img>Ecuador – fifth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Ecuador – fifth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/EYOnFrg class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Ecuador – fifth appearance
">Ecuador – fifth appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/EYOnFrg class=caas-img>Senegal – fourth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Senegal – fourth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/R9ZbAUg class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Senegal – fourth appearance
">Senegal – fourth appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/R9ZbAUg class=caas-img>South Korea – 12th appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>South Korea – 12th appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/DVktxCR class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
South Korea – 12th appearance
">South Korea – 12th appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/DVktxCR class=caas-img>Japan – eighth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Japan – eighth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/BMR1cLO class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Japan – eighth appearance
">Japan – eighth appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/BMR1cLO class=caas-img>Colombia – seventh appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Colombia – seventh appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/lgyfaqW class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Colombia – seventh appearance
">Colombia – seventh appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/lgyfaqW class=caas-img>Netherlands – 12th appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Netherlands – 12th appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/GvSDhN0 class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Netherlands – 12th appearance
">Netherlands – 12th appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/GvSDhN0 class=caas-img>Germany – 21st appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Germany – 21st appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/nklcdiK class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Germany – 21st appearance
">Germany – 21st appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/nklcdiK class=caas-img>Belgium – 15th appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Belgium – 15th appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/QHlMkdY class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Belgium – 15th appearance
">Belgium – 15th appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/QHlMkdY class=caas-img>Canada – third appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Canada – third appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/BOyljvu class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Canada – third appearance
">Canada – third appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/BOyljvu class=caas-img>Saudi Arabia – seventh appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Saudi Arabia – seventh appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/mw3aS8Q class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Saudi Arabia – seventh appearance
">Saudi Arabia – seventh appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/mw3aS8Q class=caas-img>Uzbekistan – first appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Uzbekistan – first appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/3z6FIap class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Uzbekistan – first appearance
">Uzbekistan – first appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/3z6FIap class=caas-img>Jordan – first appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Jordan – first appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/JqOMkSA class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Jordan – first appearance
">Jordan – first appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/JqOMkSA class=caas-img>Tunisia – seventh appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Tunisia – seventh appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/XG8692S class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Tunisia – seventh appearance
">Tunisia – seventh appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/XG8692S class=caas-img>South Africa – fourth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>South Africa – fourth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/aW643kE class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
South Africa – fourth appearance
">South Africa – fourth appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/aW643kE class=caas-img>Ivory Coast – fourth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Ivory Coast – fourth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/vIuY3Vd class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Ivory Coast – fourth appearance
">Ivory Coast – fourth appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/vIuY3Vd class=caas-img>Scotland – ninth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Scotland – ninth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Vt7EdTY class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Scotland – ninth appearance
">Scotland – ninth appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/Vt7EdTY class=caas-img>Algeria – fifth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Algeria – fifth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/bGg2lzT class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Algeria – fifth appearance
">Algeria – fifth appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/bGg2lzT class=caas-img>New Zealand – third appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>New Zealand – third appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Cid0oE3 class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
New Zealand – third appearance
">New Zealand – third appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/Cid0oE3 class=caas-img>Paraguay – ninth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Paraguay – ninth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/F30Au9T class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Paraguay – ninth appearance
">Paraguay – ninth appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/F30Au9T class=caas-img>Egypt – fourth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Egypt – fourth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/y8GMc79 class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Egypt – fourth appearance
">Egypt – fourth appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/y8GMc79 class=caas-img>Cape Verde – first appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Cape Verde – first appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/HPVjUY0 class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Cape Verde – first appearance
">Cape Verde – first appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/HPVjUY0 class=caas-img>Qatar – second appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Qatar – second appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/k6yArPn class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Qatar – second appearance
">Qatar – second appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/k6yArPn class=caas-img>Norway – fourth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Norway – fourth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/zjQEq4C class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Norway – fourth appearance
">Norway – fourth appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/zjQEq4C class=caas-img>Panama – second appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Panama – second appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Z4gkGDE class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Panama – second appearance
">Panama – second appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/Z4gkGDE class=caas-img>Curacao – first appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Curacao – first appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/0KZJozD class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Curacao – first appearance
">Curacao – first appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/0KZJozD class=caas-img>Ghana – fifth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Ghana – fifth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/F9S23TW class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Ghana – fifth appearance
">Ghana – fifth appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/F9S23TW class=caas-img>Haiti – second appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Haiti – second appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/KSLPemT class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Haiti – second appearance
">Haiti – second appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/KSLPemT class=caas-img>
1 / 40Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far
Brazil – 23rd appearance
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Egypt protests pride celebrations for 2026 World Cup game vs. Iran
Source: "AOL Sports"
Source: Sports
Published: December 09, 2025 at 06:27PM on Source: PRIME TIME
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