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/dsWYOaS 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/dsWYOaS class=caas-img>United States of America – 12th appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>United States of America – 12th appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Hw8h6vx 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/Hw8h6vx class=caas-img>Mexico – 18th appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Mexico – 18th appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/CuXjJOg 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/CuXjJOg class=caas-img>England – 17th appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>England – 17th appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/nC7O4xa 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/nC7O4xa class=caas-img>Portugal – ninth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Portugal – ninth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/ktbDCIR 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/ktbDCIR class=caas-img>France – 17th appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>France – 17th appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/oZtUg3K 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/oZtUg3K class=caas-img>Spain – 17th appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Spain – 17th appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/31MVT2K 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/31MVT2K class=caas-img>Iran – seventh appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Iran – seventh appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/onq6tpX 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/onq6tpX class=caas-img>Switzerland – 13th appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Switzerland – 13th appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/RCpogvQ 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/RCpogvQ class=caas-img>Croatia – seventh appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Croatia – seventh appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/FSUgbd6 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/FSUgbd6 class=caas-img>Australia – seventh appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Australia – seventh appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/g4WZK9m 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/g4WZK9m class=caas-img>Morocco – seventh appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Morocco – seventh appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/iE3sexc 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/iE3sexc class=caas-img>Austria – eighth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Austria – eighth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/zTe7MC5 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/zTe7MC5 class=caas-img>Ecuador – fifth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Ecuador – fifth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/BckSban 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/BckSban class=caas-img>Senegal – fourth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Senegal – fourth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/bqKWiRm 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/bqKWiRm class=caas-img>South Korea – 12th appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>South Korea – 12th appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/KuQYiyV 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/KuQYiyV class=caas-img>Japan – eighth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Japan – eighth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/k60mr3J 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/k60mr3J class=caas-img>Colombia – seventh appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Colombia – seventh appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/pzdsfh1 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/pzdsfh1 class=caas-img>Netherlands – 12th appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Netherlands – 12th appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/6NME3x2 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/6NME3x2 class=caas-img>Germany – 21st appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Germany – 21st appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/VY809aT 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/VY809aT class=caas-img>Belgium – 15th appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Belgium – 15th appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/djgVvoE 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/djgVvoE class=caas-img>Canada – third appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Canada – third appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Z3sukWy 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/Z3sukWy class=caas-img>Saudi Arabia – seventh appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Saudi Arabia – seventh appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/0jzUapA 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/0jzUapA class=caas-img>Uzbekistan – first appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Uzbekistan – first appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/bCkru7e 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/bCkru7e class=caas-img>Jordan – first appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Jordan – first appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/91ikEW7 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/91ikEW7 class=caas-img>Tunisia – seventh appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Tunisia – seventh appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/GkzgIxM 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/GkzgIxM class=caas-img>South Africa – fourth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>South Africa – fourth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Bq9v8Wm 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/Bq9v8Wm class=caas-img>Ivory Coast – fourth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Ivory Coast – fourth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Ajf8evS 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/Ajf8evS class=caas-img>Scotland – ninth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Scotland – ninth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Lh6NPsF 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/Lh6NPsF class=caas-img>Algeria – fifth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Algeria – fifth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/uCJKX1l 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/uCJKX1l class=caas-img>New Zealand – third appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>New Zealand – third appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/WOEG7kN 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/WOEG7kN class=caas-img>Paraguay – ninth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Paraguay – ninth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/x0LCtri 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/x0LCtri class=caas-img>Egypt – fourth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Egypt – fourth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/wePK80r 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/wePK80r class=caas-img>Cape Verde – first appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Cape Verde – first appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/EiHFcVK 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/EiHFcVK class=caas-img>Qatar – second appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Qatar – second appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/jk8JU7C 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/jk8JU7C class=caas-img>Norway – fourth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Norway – fourth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/FUwh2OW 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/FUwh2OW class=caas-img>Panama – second appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Panama – second appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/8nIEpet 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/8nIEpet class=caas-img>Curacao – first appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Curacao – first appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Z4kz8nN 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/Z4kz8nN class=caas-img>Ghana – fifth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Ghana – fifth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/FlDBA6E 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/FlDBA6E class=caas-img>Haiti – second appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Haiti – second appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/cnTUJ7i 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/cnTUJ7i 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 10, 2025 at 01:27AM on Source: RON MAG
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