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[A World Cup match hosted in Seattle in the summer of 2026 and billed as a celebration of LGBTQ+ pride will feature Egypt and Iran—two nations where homosexuality is all but illegal and queer communities face severe repression.]

#21

Off the Record / Re: Football (Soccer) Thread

Last post by Duque de Bragança - Today at 12:52:18 PM

Can Trump and his FIFA lackey "save" the day? 

World Cup Pride Match to Feature Two Countries That Prosecute Gays
PUBLISHED
DEC 08, 2025 AT 11:07 AM EST
UPDATED
DEC 08, 2025 AT 11:08 AM EST

Jesus Mesa

A World Cup match hosted in Seattle in the summer of 2026 and billed as a celebration of LGBTQ+ pride will feature Egypt and Iran—two nations where homosexuality is all but illegal and queer communities face severe repression.

SeattleFWC26, the local organizing committee, emphasized that the Pride Match designation is independent and "not affiliated with or endorsed by FIFA," according to its website.
Newsweek reached out to the Seattle FWC26 committee for comment on Monday.
Why It Matters
The Group G fixture, set for June 26 at Lumen Field, was designated a "Pride Match" by Seattle's local organizing committee well before the tournament draw. Timed to align with the city's official Pride weekend, the event is intended to promote inclusion and visibility within the global football community.
Local organizers have partnered with artists across Washington state to create LGBTQ-themed public artwork that will be displayed throughout the city during the match.
What To Know

As the World Cup draw unfolded and match assignments were finalized, none of the host cities—including Seattle—knew in advance which countries they would be staging. But once the schedule confirmed that Egypt and Iran would meet in Seattle's designated Pride Match, the pairing quickly drew international attention.
Both governments criminalize same-sex relationships: in Iran, homosexuality can be punishable by death, while in Egypt, LGBTQ+ individuals are frequently targeted under public morality laws and prosecuted for "debauchery."
The match presents a complex scenario for Seattle organizers, who have set up a Pride Match Advisory Committee (PMAC) to "shape the communications, community activations, and cultural programming" for the festivities. Yet the PMAC remains confident.

A fan waves a Pride flag before the game between the Seattle Sounders and the Portland Timbers at Lumen Field on June 03, 2023 in Seattle, Washington....Read More
"The Pride Match has been scheduled to celebrate and elevate Pride events in Seattle and across the country, and it was planned well in advance," a spokesperson for the Pride Match Advisory Committee (PMAC) said in a statement to Outsports. "It is a Host City–led expression of Seattle and Washington State's commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone belongs—players, fans, residents, and visitors alike."
The matchup presents an early test for FIFA. During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, another country with draconian laws against same-sex relationships, the soccer governing body faced international criticism for threatening to sanction players who wore the rainbow-colored "OneLove" armbands.
Several European teams, including England and Wales, dropped plans to wear the bands after FIFA warned that players could be penalized on the field. Others, like Germany, protested by covering their mouths during the team photos before their matches.

What People Are Saying
Hedda McLendon, Senior Vice President of Legacy at SeattleFWC26, to Outsports: "We're working with small businesses so the region's LGBTQ+-owned enterprises are ready to benefit from the tournament's unprecedented visitor surge."
Eric Wahl, member of the Seattle PMAC and brother of late journalist Grant Wahl, on social media: "The match-up of two countries where it is illegal to be gay is actually a 'good thing' for the Pride Match".

What Happens Next

FIFA has not yet commented on the Seattle Pride Match, nor have the football federations of Egypt or Iran. It is too early to say whether players or officials from either side will participate in or acknowledge the Pride-focused aspects of the event.

https://www.newsweek.com/sports/world-cup-pride-match-iran-egypt-seattle-11174210

#22

Off the Record / Re: Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-2...

Last post by Tonitrus - Today at 12:27:35 PM

I literally had a dream last night that Hungary withdrew from the EU and everyone was wondering how long before Russia rolled in.

Wouldn't Russian want them to stay in the EU...in order to keep it paralyzed?

#23

Off the Record / Re: Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-2...

Last post by Crazy_Ivan80 - Today at 12:27:09 PM

I literally had a dream last night that Hungary withdrew from the EU and everyone was wondering how long before Russia rolled in.

Years, because they can't get through Ukraine.

#24

Off the Record / Re: Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-2...

Last post by PJL - Today at 12:26:58 PM

Very related, the "Hungarian" "Foreign Minister" (who seems to spend more time in Russia than in Hungary, he was in Moscow just this morning, days after he accompanied Orban and was filmed sitting on the Russian delegation's side of the table being talked at by his Russian counterpart for a while), announced the "happy news" the Gazprom sub-company operating the Turkish pipeline is going to relocate to Hungary.

It personally profits the Hungarian leadership to remain loyal to Moscow but it is horrendously risky for Hungary in terms of energy security overall. The country rivals Germany in terms of getting every geostrategic/energy policy decision wrong. 

I have a bigger concern they may eventually end up being right for all the wrong reasons.

#25

Off the Record / Re: Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-2...

Last post by Jacob - Today at 12:25:22 PM

I literally had a dream last night that Hungary withdrew from the EU and everyone was wondering how long before Russia rolled in.

#26

Off the Record / Re: Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-2...

Last post by Legbiter - Today at 11:24:45 AM

Very related, the "Hungarian" "Foreign Minister" (who seems to spend more time in Russia than in Hungary, he was in Moscow just this morning, days after he accompanied Orban and was filmed sitting on the Russian delegation's side of the table being talked at by his Russian counterpart for a while), announced the "happy news" the Gazprom sub-company operating the Turkish pipeline is going to relocate to Hungary.

It personally profits the Hungarian leadership to remain loyal to Moscow but it is horrendously risky for Hungary in terms of energy security overall. The country rivals Germany in terms of getting every geostrategic/energy policy decision wrong. 

#27

Off the Record / Re: TV/Movies Megathread

Last post by crazy canuck - Today at 11:08:13 AM

Or the violent boyfriend of Jackie on Roseanne.

Or the boyfriend in Facts of Life.

#28

Gaming HQ / Re: Europa Universalis V confi...

Last post by crazy canuck - Today at 11:06:01 AM

The education thing is annoying since the administrative option is the best. It would be better just to give the option of choosing a default rather than the balanced education being preselected as the default.

I think there is a mod to deal with the marriages.

#29

Off the Record / Re: The Off Topic Topic

Last post by Baron von Schtinkenbutt - Today at 09:28:24 AM

I thought I was cooked after the early games.

#30

Gaming HQ / Re: Europa Universalis V confi...

Last post by Josephus - Today at 09:04:38 AM

There is one issue now that is ruining the fun. The constant "so and so is 16 years old now" spam. I am getting one of those every two days. In addition to the So and So can be educated alerts. It's gotten annoying. I am ignoring them, which I know is probably not wise.