FIFA said rainbow flags will be permitted during the Egypt and Iran match in Seattle, despite objections from both football associations.
FIFA will allow fans to bring rainbow flags into the stadium when Egypt face Iran in Seattle on Friday in a World Cup match designated by local organisers as “Pride Match.”
The decision comes despite objections from the Egyptian and Iranian football associations, which both asked FIFA to prevent any association between their Group G match and Seattle’s PrideFest events.
FIFA said rainbow flags and other flags representing sexual orientation and gender identity are permitted inside stadiums as general statements of human rights, provided they comply with stadium rules.
The match coincides with Seattle’s annual Pride weekend. The “Pride Match” designation was made by Seattle’s local World Cup organising committee before the tournament draw placed Egypt and Iran in the fixture.
FIFA has said the Pride events are organised by local and external groups, not by the world football body. Gianni Infantino previously said the city events were separate from the match itself.
Egypt’s Football Association sent a letter to FIFA after the draw, saying it rejected LGBTQ-related activities during the match and arguing that they “conflicted with cultural, religious, and social values.”
Iran also filed an objection with FIFA. Reuters reported that the Iranian federation requested that no ceremonies or promotional activities linked to the Pride initiative be present inside the stadium.
The match is decisive for Group G. Egypt currently lead the group on four points and a draw would automatically qualify the Pharaohs, while Iran have two points and need a win to guarantee a place in the knockout stage.