Which Two Teams Will Face in PRIDE MATCH at 2026 FIFA World Cup?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is guaranteed to bring a lot of excitement to the fans and some unique innovations are also being planned to make it stand out from the previous edition. That includes the prospect of a Pride Match in FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community in the USA. Now, it's been confirmed who will take part in the Pride Match in FIFA World Cup 2026 as well as the FIFA World Cup 2026 Pride Match date.

Who Will Face Off in 2026 FIFA World Cup Pride Match?

The Pride Match in FIFA World Cup 2026 will be taking place in Seattle, during the official Pride weekend in the city. The Pride Match in FIFA World Cup 2026 will be taking place at the Lumen Field stadium in Seattle and the FIFA World Cup 2026 Pride Match date has been confirmed to take place on Friday, 26 June 2025.

However, the most interesting aspect of the World Cup Pride Match is that it's been confirmed that the Pride Match in FIFA World Cup 2026 will actually be the Group G match between Egypt and Iran National Football Team. The Egypt vs Iran Pride Match has already been confirmed by the local organizing committee in Seattle, with a spokesperson for them stating, “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.

The game of football has a unique power to unite people across borders, cultures, and beliefs. We are honoured 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.”

Controversy Around Egypt vs Iran Pride Match At 2026 FIFA World Cup

The exact details of the World Cup Pride Match have not been completely clarified yet, but it seems that the LGBTQ+ community will be celebrated through a show of unique artwork and perhaps a celebration of LGBTQ+ artists at the Lumen Field as well! However, a lot of controversy has popped up about the Egypt vs Iran Pride Match because of the stance of both countries revolving around homosexuality.

It's well known that homosexuality is illegal and a punishable offence in both Iran and Egypt, with there being a maximum punishment of a death penalty for homosexual people in Iran. That is why many have been surprised by the Pride Match in FIFA World Cup 2026 taking place between these nations, considering how it can irk the teams' representatives.

FIFA has run into trouble with LGBTQ+ gestures in the past, as the federation had warned players would be given a yellow card if they wore the OneLove armband to show support for LGBTQ+ people at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. With the FIFA World Cup 2026 Pride Match date already set in the Egypt vs Iran Pride Match, it remains to be seen whether this actually goes through in 2026.