Amwaj

The story: The designation of the Iran–Egypt Football World Cup game in Seattle next year as a “Pride Match,” coupled with mounting uncertainties over US visas for Iranian players and officials, has ignited a geopolitical standoff. Given restrictions targeting homosexuals in both countries and Iran citing discriminatory visa denials, Cairo and Tehran are pressuring FIFA to intervene—testing football’s claims of neutrality.

The coverage: Seattle’s local World Cup organizing committee has confirmed that the Iran–Egypt fixture in June 2026 will coincide with Pride weekend and feature LGBTQ+ celebrations around the city.

* The plan predates the Football World Cup draw, but its confirmation triggered a backlash as it became clear that teams from two Muslim-majority countries would play in Seattle.

* The Egyptian football authority quickly lodged a formal complaint with FIFA, rejecting any special ceremonies, rainbow armbands or symbols.

* President of the Iranian Football Federation Mehdi Taj said Iran would bring up the issue during an upcoming FIFA Council meeting in Qatar.

Simultaneously, a separate visa dispute has been escalating.

* Taj said on Dec. 8 that several Iranian players may be denied entry to the World Cup hosted by the United States next year, forcing Iran to prepare replacements.

* The senior Iranian football officials added that players who had done their mandatory military service "at a place that the Americans do not approve of" might face visa issues. The latter likely alluded to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)

Taj also revealed that the US had denied visas to himself and several other top officials for the World Cup draw in Washington on Dec. 5— including the Iranian Football Federation's head of security.

* The president of Iran’s football association said the visa denials were linked to inquiries about "military service and other respected institutions," another likely reference to the IRGC.

Senior political figures in Iran have weighed in on the emerging controversies.

* Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali has accused Washington of “bad-faith” behavior.

* Conservative former sports executive Amirreza Vaezi Ashtiani went further, suggesting that Iran should boycott the tournament if even one player is denied entry >>>