NEXT year’s World Cup will see the first-ever “Pride Match” played out in Seattle.
However, the clash will involve two countries which have aggressive anti-LGBTQ+ laws.
Friday’s farcical two-hour draw featuring Gianni Infantino and Donald Trump allocated two Group G games to Seattle’s Lumen Field stadium.
The group will pit Belgium, Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand against one another.
And the World Cup schedule revealed on Saturday then confirmed the venues and dates for the 48 nations playing in the tournament across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
But on the weekend anniversary of the Stonewall riots – a series of riots and demonstrations in response to police persecution of gay people in 1969 – the fixture billed to mark the “Pride Match” will be played out by Egypt and Iran.
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The other Group G clash on the day between Belgium and New Zealand was pencilled in for Vancouver, leaving Fifa in a potentially awkward position given the records of Egypt and Iran in regards to LGBTQ+ human rights abuses.
Same-sex relationships are outlawed in both countries.
Under Iranian law the death penalty remains the maximum punishment, with the Human Dignity Trust saying there is evidence of this law being enforced in recent years as LGBTQ people are “regularly subjected to discrimination and violence”.
Meanwhile, Egypt is accused of severe human rights abuses of those in LGBTQ+ communities, including arrest and torture, by several human rights groups.
Regardless of the history of the nations playing the game, Seattle’s Pride Match Advisory Committee (PMAC) said they would proceed with the game.
In a statement to Outsports, a spokesperson said: “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.
“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.
“Soccer has a unique power to unite people across borders, cultures, and beliefs.
“We are honored to host a Pride Match and to celebrate Pride as part of a global football community.
“This match reflects our ongoing commitment to respect, dignity, and unity for all.”
Seattle PMAC member Eric Wahl, the brother of late journalist Grant Wahl, who tragically died during the Qatar World Cup, said the decision could be a “good thing”.
He posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: “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).”
City organisers reportedly do not want to pass up the chance to send out a strong “message of welcome” to LGBTQ+ people around the globe, dubbing it a “once-in-a-lifetime moment”.
SunSport has approached Fifa and Amnesty International for further comment.
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