"Egypt criminalizes same-sex sexual activities between men, with a maximum penalty of three years' imprisonment and a fine. Meanwhile, Iran is the one nation that is known to actively enforce the death penalty for same-sex sexual relations, as the Islamic Penal Code of Iran punishes liwat (sodomy); tafkhiz (thigh sex); and musaheqeh (lesbian intercourse), levying up to 100 lashes for other sexual acts."
"The Pride Match is a far cry from past World Cups, including the 2022 tournament hosted in Qatar, which also criminalizes same-sex sexual relations. FIFA banned players from wearing "One Love" armbands in support of LGBTQ+ rights that year, while confiscating other rainbow items from fans. In one notable instance, soccer journalist Grant Wahl was detained by security and forced to remove his rainbow t-shirt. Wahl, an outspoken LGBTQ+ ally and critic of Qatar's human rights abuses, shortly after died of an aortic aneurysm."
"Eric Wahl, Grant Wahl's brother who is an out gay man, celebrated the historic Pride Match in a post on X, writing, "The Egypt v Iran match in Seattle in June just happens to be the Pride match, & I think that is a good thing, actually. (There are LGBTQAI+ people everywhere. All are welcome to be themselves in Seattle)""
FIFA's 2026 World Cup will feature the tournament's first Pride-themed match at Lumen Field in Seattle on June 26, 2026, aligning with the city's Pride weekend. The match will be between Iran and Egypt, both countries where same-sex sexual relations are illegal. Egypt penalizes same-sex sexual activity between men with up to three years' imprisonment and fines. Iran enforces severe punishments under the Islamic Penal Code, including the death penalty for some same-sex acts and lashes for others. The choice contrasts with prior World Cup controversies over LGBTQ+ expression, and it has prompted public support from local leaders and advocates.
Read at Advocate.com
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