Seattle will host a historic "Pride Match" at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 26, coinciding with LGBTQ Pride Weekend and marking the anniversary of the Stonewall riots.

The match, intended to celebrate inclusivity and Seattle’s LGBTQ+ community, has drawn attention because it will feature Egypt vs. Iran, two countries with some of the harshest anti-LGBTQ+ laws in the world.

The idea for the Pride Match originated from Seattle’s local organizing committee and was planned before knowing which teams would play at Lumen Field that day. The match will see extensive programming around and outside of the match.

Seattle has formed a Pride Match Advisory Committee (PMAC) to guide community programming, communications, and public engagement, and to promote Seattle’s commitment to diversity and inclusion during the tournament.

Organisers have emphasised that the initiative reflects Seattle and Washington State values, not an endorsement of the visiting teams' policies. The initiative is not affiliated with or endorsed by FIFA, which allows local organisers more flexibility in their messaging.

It is not known yet whether FIFA will celebrate Pride Month during the World Cup.

Fare and FvH welcome Pride Match

Piara Powar, Executive Director of the Fare network, welcomed the initiative: “In a World Cup country fraught with potential human rights issues, we welcome this celebration of Pride Month by Seattle, which seems to be the most visibly progressive of the World Cup host cities in America.

“We are in touch with FIFA on this issue and see no reason why Pride Month cannot be celebrated by messaging at all World Cup stadiums in June. At the heart of football is the idea of inclusion and accessibility for all, the LGBTIQ+ community are a bedrock of football across the world and should be celebrated.”

Lou Englefield, Director of Football vs. Homophobia and Co-Chair of Pride House International said: “A Pride match at a World Cup host in a country steadily rolling back LGBTIQ+ Human Rights, sends a message of resistance, of solidarity and humanity through the world’s most influential sport. Congratulations to SeattleFWC26 on their powerful allyship.”

The World Cup draw assigned Seattle’s 26 June fixture to Egypt versus Iran, removing the alternative possibility of Belgium versus New Zealand. In Iran, same-sex relationships can result in the death penalty. Egypt regularly prosecutes LGBTQ+ individuals under laws against debauchery and morality offenses, with some people sentenced to over a decade in prison.

Eric Wahl, a gay man, PMAC member, and brother of the late journalist Grant Wahl, said the pairing could actually amplify the event’s impact. "The Egypt v Iran match in Seattle in June just happens to be the Pride match, and I think that is a good thing, actually. There are LGBTQAI+ people everywhere. All are welcome to be themselves in Seattle," he wrote on social media.

'We get to show the world that in Seattle, everyone is welcome'

Seattle plans cultural events, a public art campaign, and economic programmes supporting LGBTQ-owned businesses. Mayor-elect Katie Wilson welcomed the announcement, tweeting, "We get to show the world that in Seattle, everyone is welcome”. The Pride Match is also supported by a community art competition that will feature local LGBTQ artists and their work throughout the city and around the stadium during the tournament.

In addition to the match itself, Seattle is working with Pride House International to set up safe spaces for LGBTQ+ fans and allies. These venues, run by Pride House will be in cities across the US and Canada, which have been present at other major sporting events, will provide community programming and serve as gathering points for Queer people.

Organizers in Seattle stress that the Pride Match is not about targeting specific teams or fans, but about making a broader statement of welcome and dignity. Whether the visiting players and fans embrace or ignore the messaging, they will be surrounded by Pride symbols, inclusive public art, and a host city determined to make this moment count.