Seattle's latest World Cup match, between Egypt and Iran, coincides with the city's annual Pride celebrations this weekend. That has drawn even more international attention to the city.
The local World Cup organizing committee is calling it the “Pride Match."
The designation has caused controversy. The Iran Football Federation told The Athletic that it wants FIFA to prevent activities related to the LGBTQ+ community during the match, saying it clashes with cultural and religious values in the Muslim-majority countries. Egypt’s football association has also said it would not be supportive, according to The Athletic.
FIFA has said this match is not connected with Pride celebrations, but it will allow fans to bring rainbow flags into the stadium.
"I think the Pride flag is allowed because it represents a protected class and because it's a human rights flag,” said Patti Hearn, the executive director of Seattle Pride. "That's how it should be. So I think that's great, and I'm glad that people get to show up and cheer and be their authentic selves."
The host committee's embrace of Pride is also getting noticed by an international watchdog group.
Katie Hultquist of the group Outright International noted that both Egypt and Iran criminalize queer and trans people, and that LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S. are under attack. The organization said no nation has achieved full equality.
"Whether it's Egypt or Iran or any other country, and even here in the U.S., we see the attacks happening on our communities, and we have a long ways to go to make sure that no one is left behind," Hultquist said.
Outright International's executive director, Maria Sjödin, said rainbow flags in the stadium at Friday's game will send an important message: "They're not just waving the Pride flags for people in Seattle. Queer communities that of course also exist in Egypt and Iran. Queer people exist in every single country.”
The match between Egypt and Iran will kick off at 8 p.m. Friday. It is the fourth World Cup match hosted in Seattle, one of 16 host cities in North America.
Pride celebrations are taking place around Western Washington this weekend, from Olympia to the Seattle Pride Parade expected to draw around 300,000 people on Sunday.
