FIFA allows rainbow flags after Egypt and Iran land in Seattle’s pre-planned Pride Match

FIFA allows rainbow flags after Egypt and Iran land in Seattle’s pre-planned Pride Match
Friday 26 June 2026 - 09:15

FIFA will allow fans to display rainbow flags when Egypt face Iran in Seattle on Friday, the governing body said, despite objections from both national football associations.

The Group G match falls during Seattle’s annual Pride weekend and was designated a “Pride Match” by the city’s local World Cup committee before the tournament draw paired the two countries.

Egypt and Iran later asked FIFA to prevent LGBTQ-related activities, arguing that they conflicted with their cultural and religious values.

FIFA said rainbow flags and other expressions supporting sexual orientation and gender identity are permitted under the tournament’s stadium code, provided they meet size limits and are not used for prohibited political messaging.

The governing body has distanced itself from the Pride branding, saying the celebrations are organized locally and are not an official FIFA event.

The decision contrasts with the 2022 World Cup, when FIFA threatened captains with yellow cards

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