TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A narrative circulating on Facebook [archive] claims that the world football federation, FIFA, has turned the Iran vs. Egypt match at the 2026 World Cup into a celebration of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community. "FIFA will make Egypt vs. Iran an LGBT celebration," reads the text on the circulating poster.
The narrative is linked to FIFA's permission to fly the rainbow flag during the 2026 World Cup, as well as the Seattle Pride celebration that coincides with the Iran vs. Egypt match on June 27, 2026.
However, is it true that FIFA turned the Iran-Egypt match into an LGBT celebration?
FACT CHECK
Tempo's Fact Check team verified the above claim by searching for credible sources. The results indicate that FIFA will allow the LGBTQ flag during the 2026 World Cup. However, there was no decision to turn the Iran vs. Egypt match into an LGBTQ celebration.
Seattle Pride is an annual event celebrating gender and sexual diversity held in Seattle, United States, since 1974. This year, the movement's festival, PrideFest Capitol Hill, will be held on June 27, 2026, coinciding with the Iran vs. Egypt match at the 2026 World Cup in Seattle Stadium.
Previously, FIFA announced that the rainbow flag or LGBTQ symbols would be permitted during the World Cup. This decision was based on the principles of inclusivity and human rights.
"The 2026 World Cup is an inclusive event open to people of all backgrounds. Fans of all sexual orientations and gender identities are welcome to attend matches and events," FIFA wrote, as quoted by NBC on June 25, 2026.
This schedule sparked controversy because Iran and Egypt are countries that illegalize homosexuality. In December 2025, both countries even requested that Pride-themed celebrations be canceled. However, Seattle Pride had been scheduled long before the two teams met at the 2026 World Cup.
Citing the BBC, Seattle World Cup organizing committee member Hedda McLendon emphasized that Seattle Pride was not intended to provoke anyone. Furthermore, FIFA has never issued any announcement or statement specifically designating any team's match at the 2026 World Cup as an LGBTQ celebration.
To end the controversy, the Iranian and Egyptian national teams stated that they were fully focused on football. The coaches of both teams also avoided the topic of Seattle Pride in their pre-match press conferences.
According to an Associated Press report, Iran's national team head coach, Amir Ghalenoei, emphasized that his team would only focus on the match. "Our entire focus will be on tomorrow's match, on trying to win tomorrow's match. And other things that are prohibited... we don't want to talk about them," Ghalenoei said. Egypt's coach, Hossam Hassan, echoed this sentiment. "We are all focused on football," he said.
CONCLUSION
Based on the results of a fact-check, the Tempo Fact Check Team concluded that the narrative that claims FIFA turned the Iran-Egypt match into an LGBT celebration is misleading.
TEMPO FACT CHECK TEAM
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