The Egyptian Football Association says it has sent a formal letter to Fifa requesting LGBTQ+ “Pride Match” celebrations at one of their 2026 World Cup matches do not go ahead.
The local organising committee in Seattle, one of the host cities for the Fifa tournament next summer, have said the match at Lumen Field on 26 June will feature celebrations of the LGBTQ+ community, external.
Following Friday’s draw and Saturday’s fixture allocation, it has been confirmed Seattle will host the Group G match between Egypt and Iran.
In Iran, the maximum punishment for homosexual relations is the death penalty, while in Egypt, morality laws are frequently used to suppress LGBTQ+ rights and relationships.
And in a statement, external on Tuesday, the Egyptian FA said it has sent a formal letter to Fifa secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom, rejecting “in absolute terms” any activities linked to LGBTQ+ support during the match.
The game takes place on the weekend of Seattle Pride, and two days before the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots – generally regarded as the birth of the LGBTQ+ rights movement.
Plans were put in place before the teams involved in the fixture were selected, or the draw for the World Cup was made, and has been organised solely by the local committee and not affiliated with Fifa itself.
The lengthy Egyptian FA statement claimed the initiative would clash with “the cultural, religious and social values” of both Egypt and Iran, and urged Fifa to ensure the match would remain focused solely on football.
It cited Fifa’s statutes on political and social neutrality, arguing matches should not be used to promote causes that are “sensitive or of a contentious nature”.
The statement read: “The Egyptian Football Association explained in the letter that, while Fifa is committed to ensuring a respectful and welcoming environment for all fans, and in order to maintain the spirit of unity and peace, it is necessary to avoid including activities that could provoke cultural and religious sensitivities between fans present from both countries, Egypt and Iran, especially since such activities are culturally and religiously incompatible with the two countries.
“The federation also relied on Fifa’s established principle of respecting cultures and encouraging all parties to organise events in a way that respects the beliefs and identities of the participating communities.
“Therefore, in order to ensure that the match is held in an atmosphere of respect and focus solely on the sporting aspect, the Egyptian Federation categorically rejects these calls and demands that FIFA not hold any events or performances related to supporting homosexuality inside the stadium on matchday.”
BBC
