World Cup football. Organizers do not give up on the LGBTQ+ dedicated match despite protests in Iran and Egypt.

The organizing committee of the 2026 World Cup in Seattle has announced that the 'Pride Match' dedicated to the LGBT+ cause will take place on June 26, despite protests from Iran and Egypt. This match will coincide with the annual Pride weekend, allowing the city to promote diversity and inclusion. Hana Tadesse, the vice president of the committee, emphasized the importance of football as a unifying factor among cultures and communities, mentioning that Seattle hosts a significant Iranian-American community and an expanding Egyptian diaspora.

Iran and Egypt have criticized the choice of this match, considering it favorable to a certain group, and officials from both countries have expressed opposition to activities related to supporting LGBT+ during the competition. In Iran, homosexual relations are prohibited, and in Egypt, although homosexuality is not explicitly banned, it is often sanctioned through vague laws.