You couldn't make this up.

Due to the luck of the draw and the date overlapping LGBT Pride activities, the scheduled Pride Match is set to include two of the most homophobic countries on earth -- Iran and Egypt.

Both countries are protesting this but the Pride match event was already formally scheduled and the date and contestants can't be changed.

So -- what will happen?

Will FIFA cave and cancel the Pride part of the match?

Will Iran and Egypt withdraw?

Will Trump on grounds that this match poses a safety risk force a move to another city?

Will it go on as planned and just see what happens?

I have no idea.

 

 

Quote

The first Queer-related controversy has come to Seattle’s upcoming World Cup soccer games, despite the best of intentions. Because the 2026 World Cup and Pride Weekend happen to overlap, the city planned to host a “Pride Match” on June 26, featuring LGBTQIA+ honors and artists, the first of its kind across FIFA’s 90-year history.

The only problem? It was decided before knowing who would actually play the game. On Friday, December 5, the luck of the draw decided it would be the national teams of Egypt and Iran, two countries where being in a homosexual relationship is a criminal offense. In Iran, you can legally still be executed for who you love. 

According to international surveys, 84% of Egyptian society would not accept a homosexual as their neighbor. Ninety percent of Iranians said that homosexuality is never justifiable. Placing these same countries in front of an out-and-proud audience will obviously be awkward for Seattle’s public image, but could this go beyond symbolism? How will a wealth of tourists, some likely to hold homophobic beliefs, coexist with a city of out Queer people? 

www.stonewallnews.net/articles/seattle-pride-match-teams-during-world-cup-will-be-egypt-and-iran-what-happens-n/24534/?fbclid=IwY2xjawOsLdFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFSSU9pQjFCdzNldGZpQVlpc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHjL7Lwm6pPqzYHjTp2JxCdKFu-EFc97Ghwwpqt130hLf_UocSBPYLW6qvYWD_aem_V3lTZVcM3Ga0YQ5xrW6cww

4 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

You couldn't make this up.

Due to the luck of the draw and the date overlapping LGBT Pride activities, the scheduled Pride Match is set to include two of the most homophobic countries on earth -- Iran and Egypt.

Both countries are protesting this but the Pride match event was already formally scheduled and the date and contestants can't be changed.

So -- what will happen?

Will FIFA cave and cancel the Pride part of the match?

Will Iran and Egypt withdraw?

Will Trump on grounds that this match poses a safety risk force a move to another city?

Will it go on as planned and just see what happens?

I have no idea.

 

 

www.stonewallnews.net/articles/seattle-pride-match-teams-during-world-cup-will-be-egypt-and-iran-what-happens-n/24534/?fbclid=IwY2xjawOsLdFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFSSU9pQjFCdzNldGZpQVlpc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHjL7Lwm6pPqzYHjTp2JxCdKFu-EFc97Ghwwpqt130hLf_UocSBPYLW6qvYWD_aem_V3lTZVcM3Ga0YQ5xrW6cww

We have a responsibility to embody cultural sensitivity, even towards those who may be culturally insensitive. This commitment is not only the right choice but a fundamental step towards fostering understanding and respect in our diverse society.

3 minutes ago, nick supreme said:

We have a responsibility to embody cultural sensitivity, even towards those who may be culturally insensitive. This commitment is not only the right choice but a fundamental step towards fostering understanding and respect in our diverse society.

I call B.S.

Iran and Egypt wanted to be in the World Cup.

The Seattle Pride Match was a previously approved by FIFA part of the World Cup.

Take it or leave it!

Just now, Jingthing said:

I call B.S.

Iran and Egypt wanted to be in the World Cup.

The Seattle Pride Match was a previously approved by FIFA part of the World Cup.

Take it or leave it!

Your attitude strongly resembles that of a fascist.

1 minute ago, nick supreme said:

Your attitude strongly resembles that of a fascist.

That's a game of right wing fascists -- accusing their opposition of what they are. Fools only dumb people. 

 

Nobody is forcing the Iranians and Egyptians to do any gay stuff if they don't want.

 

Again, they signed up to be part of the FIFA World Cup. That may include parts they don't like. Why should they get a special break just because their nations are among the most homophobic on earth?

1 minute ago, IDFHero said:

That memo is how we View gay people in Israel. The only place in area where gay people can be free.

You're being silly now.

 

I do acknowledge this situation is a nightmare for FIFA.

Whatever they do is going to be loudly protested by a lot of people.

But FIFA kind of deserves a nightmare for their over the top corruption, sucking up big time to Trump with a fake Peace Prize etc., and now the ticket price scandal. 

There is no win win here. It is a set up for a mess, but it is an accidental mess.

53 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

How many times are you going to post that crap bigoted meme? 

5555 Never gets old,

1 hour ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Men wearing high heals, tutu's and lipstick should not be walking the streets. 

 

Do you see nothing wrong with this behaviour? 

 

Do men wearing flats, a little black dress and a touch of rouge offend as much?

Reminds me of the old joke,

How do they separate the men from the boys in Egypt?  With a crowbar.

 

An Egyptian might raise the argument why dont you replace Egypt with Seattle in your joke?  He might have a point.

 

 

I agree, you can't make this up. To me, it simply proves that God exists, and He also has a wicked sense of humour!

 

But seriously, I love the potential.  Two things that cannot exist in the same space must somehow, well, exist in the same space. Respect for other cultures (however bigoted and homophobic) vs the basic tenets of secular democracy.  

 

It is serious "get the popcorn and sit back" time. Who will cave- FIFA or the homophobes?  And what excuses will they proffer for their caving? It's gonna be fun!

2 hours ago, Jingthing said:

You're being silly now.

 

You think gay is thrown off roof there. They can party if they want. All Israeli can party

1 hour ago, Hanaguma said:

I agree, you can't make this up. To me, it simply proves that God exists, and He also has a wicked sense of humour!

 

But seriously, I love the potential.  Two things that cannot exist in the same space must somehow, well, exist in the same space. Respect for other cultures (however bigoted and homophobic) vs the basic tenets of secular democracy.  

 

It is serious "get the popcorn and sit back" time. Who will cave- FIFA or the homophobes?  And what excuses will they proffer for their caving? It's gonna be fun!

FIFA.

1 hour ago, IDFHero said:

You think gay is thrown off roof there. They can party if they want. All Israeli can party

You completely missed my point.

3 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

5555 Never gets old,

Bigots love it for sure 

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

You completely missed my point.

I did not see that you made one.

14 minutes ago, IDFHero said:

I did not see that you made one.

Whatever boychik.

5 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

5555 Never gets old,

Only for those whose mental age is stuck somewhere in the pre teens, buddy.

6 hours ago, Jingthing said:

I call B.S.

Iran and Egypt wanted to be in the World Cup.

The Seattle Pride Match was a previously approved by FIFA part of the World Cup.

Take it or leave it!

 

Im quite liberal myself, but chugging down pride events down everyone’s throats is working against the cause! 

 

Also part of the problem we see today with polarization! 

 

Sorry mate, I know it means a lot to you, but this is a neutral stand. We experienced the same in Norway when our Christian party leader was forced to walk in the pride parade, and even in Norway the conservatives Christian community or the Islam or any other who is conservative, where not ready for it. 

 

 

How many tall buildings are there must be the foremost question?

17 minutes ago, Hummin said:

 

Im quite liberal myself, but chugging down pride events down everyone’s throats is working against the cause! 

 

Also part of the problem we see today with polarization! 

 

Sorry mate, I know it means a lot to you, but this is a neutral stand. We experienced the same in Norway when our Christian party leader was forced to walk in the pride parade, and even in Norway the conservatives Christian community or the Islam or any other who is conservative, where not ready for it. 

 

 

The event is NOT a parade.

Don't tell me what it means to me. That is VERY OBNOXIOUS.

I've attended such events two times in the last 30 years.

They were meaningful to me when much younger as the message was political to fight against oppression 100 percent. Now it's much more about partying and commerce.

Correction -- it is still very political in very homophobic nations.

But pride events in less homophobic nations are still needed and meaningful especially for young people coming from families and communities that reject them only for what they are. Yes that is still tragically very widespread.

Your opinion is your opinion. That's cool. But this event related to this one match has been planned for a long time, and fully approved by FIFA.

No nation has any right at all to try to overturn that.

I guess if it was a different time and a Nazi team was scheduled for an event and it coincided with a pre-approved recognition of a Jewish holiday, people like you would accuse the Jews of hurting their own cause.

 

Again, that meme paints gay people that find such events worth paticipating in as ONE DIMENSIONAL absurd stereotypes, as if they're mostly all the same and don't have personalities. It's the kind of bigotry that intends to DEHUMANIZE the other.  It may be "funny to ignorant bigots but it's intention is not a good one.

That kind of garbage towards other groups would be seen much more clearly as hard core hate speech. 

20 minutes ago, BLMFem said:

Only for those whose mental age is stuck somewhere in the pre teens, buddy.

Nicest thing you've told me in a while, pal. 

4 hours ago, Hanaguma said:

I agree, you can't make this up. To me, it simply proves that God exists, and He also has a wicked sense of humour!

 

But seriously, I love the potential.  Two things that cannot exist in the same space must somehow, well, exist in the same space. Respect for other cultures (however bigoted and homophobic) vs the basic tenets of secular democracy.  

 

It is serious "get the popcorn and sit back" time. Who will cave- FIFA or the homophobes?  And what excuses will they proffer for their caving? It's gonna be fun!

I share your wonder that this even happened.

The pride match was planned and the schedule was completely correct based on the local Pride activities calender. The world cup and draws were planned to happen.

But Egypt vs. Iran -- to me not proof of God but yeah it would be hard to make this up.

A number of other countries would have fit with this conflict as well -- such as Sudan and Jamaica though. I think the public Iran tops the homophobic lottery though. I actually doubt they're the actual worse though. Now that's a contest to watch.

10 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

The event is NOT a parade.

Don't tell me what it means to me. That is VERY OBNOXIOUS.

I've attended such events two times in the last 30 years.

They were meaningful to me when much younger as the message was political to fight against oppression 100 percent. Now it's much more about partying and commerce.

Correction -- it is still very political in very homophobic nations.

But pride events in less homophobic nations are still needed and meaningful especially for young people coming from families and communities that reject them only for what they are. Yes that is still tragically very widespread.

Your opinion is your opinion. That's cool. But this event related to this one match has been planned for a long time, and fully approved by FIFA.

No nation has any right at all to try to overturn that.

I guess if it was a different time and a Nazi team was scheduled for an event and it coincided with a pre-approved recognition of a Jewish holiday, people like you would accuse the Jews of hurting their own cause.

 

Again, that meme paints gay people that find such events worth paticipating in as ONE DIMENSIONAL absurd stereotypes, as if they're mostly all the same and don't have personalities. It's the kind of bigotry that intends to DEHUMANIZE the other.  It may be "funny to ignorant bigots but it's intention is not a good one.

That kind of garbage towards other groups would be seen much more clearly as hard core hate speech. 

 

Something that should be taken as granted is not granted in most countries, and I get that, but we need a sober discussion how this impacts the politically environment, because pride is politics, and it impacts many in different ways. 

 

You see how the polarization in USA turned against the gay again, and why is so? To much exposure or to little ? Seems people forget people are just people, and not to lang ago, they burned witches, and for some reasons, people think those times is gone, but! Sorry to say they are not! 

 

Everything has to be so extreme, and FIFA making a football match the pride event with two muslim nations? What good can that be for?

 

thanks for the negative emotion for just trying to make a reasonable discussion. And seems you forget how personal this matter is to you, and have been on their forum where you do not tolerate other opinions against how this have become political and how it continues to be polarizing the politically environment. 

6 minutes ago, Hummin said:

 

Something that should be taken as granted is not granted in most countries, and I get that, but we need a sober discussion how this impacts the politically environment, because pride is politics, and it impacts many in different ways. 

 

You see how the polarization in USA turned against the gay again, and why is so? To much exposure or to little ? Seems people forget people are just people, and not to lang ago, they burned witches, and for some reasons, people think those times is gone, but! Sorry to say they are not! 

 

Everything has to be so extreme, and FIFA making a football match the pride event with two muslim nations? What good can that be for?

 

thanks for the negative emotion for just trying to make a reasonable discussion. And seems you forget how personal this matter is to you, and have been on their forum where you do not tolerate other opinions against how this have become political and how it continues to be polarizing the politically environment. 

It wasn't designed to be about Muslim nations. That was accidental. 

I don't find your argument reasonable. 

It's about caving to bigotry.

What other group faces that demand?

It's also both sides-ism.

In which the side of Iran (murdering gay people) is falsely presented as deserving equal respect as being in favor of gay civil rights.

NO!

One side is right and one side is wrong.

 

 

4 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

It wasn't designed to be about Muslim nations. That was accidental. 

I don't find your argument reasonable. 

It's about caving to bigotry.

What other group faces that demand?

 

 

Every minority have the responsibility to adjust and stay within the majority’s parameters? Or the minorities, and then we have to include every minority to expose their self, their culture, their beliefs as tried for a few decades now, and see where it goes, as we do, and have done!

 

what do we see as the result? 

 

I also see in Norway where the majority have a liberal view on the most, how the polarization about basic human rights, starts to fade. It is not all about pride and the community, it is also immigration, environment and the whole cocktail we have been served for awhile now thats starts to collapse, and more conservative forces takes control. 

 

 

 

 

53 minutes ago, Hummin said:

 

Every minority have the responsibility to adjust and stay within the majority’s parameters? Or the minorities, and then we have to include every minority to expose their self, their culture, their beliefs as tried for a few decades now, and see where it goes, as we do, and have done!

 

what do we see as the result? 

 

I also see in Norway where the majority have a liberal view on the most, how the polarization about basic human rights, starts to fade. It is not all about pride and the community, it is also immigration, environment and the whole cocktail we have been served for awhile now thats starts to collapse, and more conservative forces takes control. 

 

 

 

 

More fascist forces, more like.

 

Again, when it comes to civil rights issues, including racism, homophobia, antisemitism, etc. there are NOT two equally ethical sides.

 

I don't recall ever hearing such strong objections when FIFA and other sporting organizations hosted anti RACISM events. 

 

Seattle stands firm.

Seattle Stands Firm on Pride-Themed Match at 2026 World Cup Despite Controversy | SoccerPlayer

www.soccerplayer.co/news/seattle-stands-firm-on-pride-themed-match-at-2026-world-cup-despite-controversy/

 

Quote

 

Seattle’s local organizers for the 2026 World Cup are moving ahead with plans to dedicate one of the city’s matches to LGBTQ+ pride celebrations – even after the fixture was revealed to feature Iran and Egypt, two nations with severe anti-LGBTQ+ restrictions. The city’s committee emphasized that their initiative is independent of FIFA and reflects Seattle’s cultural identity rather than the politics of the competing countries.

Pride Event Will Go Ahead as Planned

According to Seattle organizers, the pride-themed match was planned long before the June 26 pairing was confirmed. While the announcement triggered criticism – particularly from Iranian federation president Mehdi Taj, who reportedly filed a protest alongside Egypt – the city remains committed to its vision. Officials stressed that Seattle aims to welcome the world during Pride Weekend with open arms, showcasing local LGBTQ+ art, community programs, and support for queer-owned businesses.

The dispute brings yet another common theme into worldwide soccer talks. At the 2022 World Cup held in Qatar, officials from FIFA prohibited captains from wearing the “One Love” armband – showcasing multicolored stripes meant to support inclusivity. This move triggered widespread criticism across nations while reviving conversations on equality within the game.

 

 

 

Maybe to suggest steering this topic in another direction.

Any PREDICTIONS on how this Pride Match with Iran and Egypt is going to play out?

 

I do have a maybe prediction. I think Trump might threaten FIFA and/or Seattle to de-gayify the match. Something like threats to cut federal funds, bringing in the national guard from maga fascist states, charging Seattle for that extra not asked for cost, and potentially most extremely threatening to or actually moving the venue city.

 

We'll see. It's going to be interesting whatever happens.

12 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

More fascist forces, more like.

 

Again, when it comes to civil rights issues, including racism, homophobia, antisemitism, etc. there are NOT two equally ethical sides.

 

I don't recall ever hearing such strong objections when FIFA and other sporting organizations hosted anti RACISM events. 

 

Are you surprised ? 

 

what we know of social studies and how we almost reached peace and quiet, some forces on opposing sides started to provoke and stretching the limits when it came to free speech and also freedom for each and one individualities characters. Of course plummeting in the freedom to require everyone to accept born men to do female sports, and and everything else threat came with it. 

 

It is human to stretch the limits, but we all know it will backfire sooner or later. I mean one of the conservative parties in Norway, just elected their new leader board, two gay men, and one single woman without children, and there is nobody who complains, except a few who have publicly commented it with respect for all parties. This is progress, and how it should be, but it is fragile, and we will see how it will be received next election by the majority of their voters. 

 

Anyway, you couldn’t construct a better scenario in a designes reality, the times we go through today, and especially this event. 

9 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Are you surprised ? 

 

what we know of social studies and how we almost reached peace and quiet, some forces on opposing sides started to provoke and stretching the limits when it came to free speech and also freedom for each and one individualities characters. Of course plummeting in the freedom to require everyone to accept born men to do female sports, and and everything else threat came with it. 

 

It is human to stretch the limits, but we all know it will backfire sooner or later. I mean one of the conservative parties in Norway, just elected their new leader board, two gay men, and one single woman without children, and there is nobody who complains, except a few who have publicly commented it with respect for all parties. This is progress, and how it should be, but it is fragile, and we will see how it will be received next election by the majority of their voters. 

 

Anyway, you couldn’t construct a better scenario in a designes reality, the times we go through today, and especially this event. 

How to deal with transgender people in sports is a separate issue which reasonable people can certainly disagree. 

In the U.S. you're talking about a tiny number of people. 

Totally overblown. 

The reality is the fascists like Trump have demagogued such things in a totally evil way lying constantly.

Telling stories of boys going to school one day coming home as girls.

Never happened.

But his moron hate cult members eat that stuff up. 

You are blaming the targets of this kind of fascism instead of the fascists.

It would be like blaming Jews for blood libel attacks.