FIFA gives the green light for rainbow flags during the World Cup ‘Pride’ match between Egypt and Iran

Fans will be allowed to bring rainbow flags when Egypt faces Iran in Seattle’s designated «Pride Match» at the World Cup, FIFA said Thursday, creating an «awkward clash between local celebrations and two countries where homosexuality is a crime.»

Friday’s group match falls during Pride weekend in Seattle, a scheduling error that only emerged after December’s draw pitted the two Muslim-majority countries against each other.

Egypt and Iran objected after the draw, with the Egyptian Football Association saying such events were against the country’s cultural and religious values. Both countries impose harsh penalties on LGBTQ people.

«The 2026 FIFA World Cup ⁠ is an inclusive event that welcomes people from all backgrounds. Fans of all sexual orientations and gender identities are welcome at matches and events,» FIFA said in a statement.

“General human rights statements, including rainbow flags and other flags representing sexual orientation and gender identity, are permitted under the 2026 FIFA World Cup Stadium Code of Conduct and may be displayed in stadiums.”

FIFA added that items are allowed provided they are used «in a manner consistent with the code,» which limits the size of flags or banners and bans items deemed «political.»

‘PRIDE MATCH’ ORGANIZED BY ⁠SEATTLE, NOT FIFA

FIFA has distanced itself from the Pride festivities, insisting that the festivities are organized by Seattle’s local World Cup committee and not the global football body.

“I must make it clear that there will be no ‘Pride Match’ at the World Cup,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino told Swiss magazine Die Weltwoche in January.

«There will be a FIFA World Cup match in Seattle and on the same day there will be events organized by outside organizations in the city. But that has nothing to do with the match itself.»

At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, FIFA threatened yellow cards for captains wearing the ‘OneLove’ armband, saying the rules conflicted with political slogans.

Undeterred, Seattle organizers see the spotlight as a platform to promote acceptance.

“The Pride celebration… has been happening this weekend for more than 50 years,” Hedda ‌McLendon, of the local World Cup organizing committee in Seattle, told Reuters.

“It’s going to happen this weekend, it’s going to happen long after the World Cup.”

Published on June 25, 2026