Seattle’s World Cup ‘Pride Match’ to Feature Two Countries That Outlaw Homosexuality [WATCH]

Seattle will host a World Cup Group G match between Iran and Egypt on June 26 at Lumen Field, a date that coincides with the city’s annual pride weekend.

The event has been designated as the World Cup “Pride Match,” despite both participating countries maintaining laws that make homosexuality illegal.

The FIFA World Cup match in Seattle on June 26 has been designated the Pride Match.

In that game, Egypt will play Iran, two countries that imprison & execute gay people.

Katie Wilson backed Gaza, even though Israel is the only country in the Middle East with LGBTQ rights pic.twitter.com/5nZMP8mCrm

— Ari Hoffman (@thehoffather) December 8, 2025

The match falls on a Friday and is one of several World Cup fixtures scheduled for the city in 2026.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

According to officials involved in organizing the event, the Pride Match was planned before the teams were selected and before Friday’s 2026 World Cup Draw in Washington, D.C.

️‍ FIFA World Cup 2026 match in Seattle on June 26th, which had previously been designated as ‘Pride Match’, will be played between Egypt & Iran

In Egypt, homosexuals are punished with prison, labor camps and deportation
In Iran, homosexuals are executed by hanging… pic.twitter.com/WEcRwEtnQl

— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) December 8, 2025

A spokesperson for the Pride Match Advisory Committee 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. We are honored to host a Pride Match and to celebrate Pride as part of a global football community. This match reflects our ongoing commitment to respect, dignity, and unity for all.”

Seattle is one of the U.S. host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Earlier this year, the local organizing committee announced a Pride Match design contest, inviting Washington State artists “with credibility in authentically representing the LGBTQ+ community” to submit artwork for consideration.

The contest was announced over the summer as part of the city’s broader preparation efforts for the tournament.

On the Seattle World Cup website, the organizing committee issued a disclaimer stating that “the Pride Match design is an independent creation specifically for the Seattle FWC26 LOC and is not an official FIFA asset. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by FIFA.”

The committee announced last month that three finalists had been selected for their original Pride Match designs.

Lumen Field will host six World Cup events in total, including the U.S. Men’s National Team’s second group stage match on June 19.

The Pride Match will take place one week later, during a period marked by local and national pride celebrations.

The anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising is June 28, commemorating the date when New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village.

The World Cup has previously been the focus of international scrutiny over LGBTQ+ rights.

During the 2022 tournament in Qatar, issues arose regarding local restrictions on expression.

Homosexuality in Qatar is illegal and carries a penalty of up to three years in prison. FIFA announced that players who wore “OneLove” armbands in support of the LGBTQ+ community would receive yellow cards, and security personnel acted against rainbow banners and other pride-related symbols inside stadiums.

American journalist Grant Wahl tweeted during the 2022 tournament that he was prevented from entering the stadium for the United States–Wales match because of his shirt, which featured a soccer ball surrounded by a rainbow.

Wahl later died of an ascending aortic aneurysm while covering the World Cup.

His brother, Eric Wahl, who is a member of the Seattle Pride Match Advisory Committee and identifies as an out gay man, commented on the upcoming Iran–Egypt match.

He said he believes the event “is a good thing” because “all are welcome to to be themselves in Seattle.”

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.