FIFA Confirms Rainbow Flags Allowed at Egypt vs Iran World Cup Match
FIFA has confirmed that fans will be allowed to display rainbow flags inside the stadium during the World Cup match between Egypt and Iran in Seattle.
The game is taking place during Seattle’s annual Pride weekend, and local organizers have planned LGBTQ+ events around the city. However, FIFA President Gianni Infantino stressed that these celebrations are not part of the match itself.
Both Egypt and Iran reportedly asked FIFA to cancel the Pride-related events. Same-sex relationships are illegal in Iran, while Egypt has a record of prosecuting LGBTQ+ people.
At a pre-match press conference, Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei avoided discussing the issue, saying his team was focused only on football.
“Our thoughts are on football, our people and our success. We are not thinking about anything happening off the pitch,” he said.
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan also said his team was concentrating solely on the game and would follow FIFA’s rules and principles of fair play.
Iran had earlier complained about travel restrictions during the tournament. Ghalenoei said FIFA President Infantino had tried to help but was not responsible for the challenges his team faced.
Infantino clarified that there would be no official “Pride Match” at the World Cup.
“There will be a FIFA World Cup match in Seattle, and separate events organized by outside groups in the city. They have nothing to do with the match itself,” he said.
A FIFA spokesperson added that rainbow flags and other symbols supporting sexual orientation and gender identity are permitted inside World Cup stadiums, provided fans follow the tournament’s code of conduct.
