Iran’s sports minister has warned FIFA that the country could stop World Cup matches if fans bring “unofficial flags” or chant slogans against the national team — a threat that could affect Pride displays at Seattle’s scheduled Pride Match.
Iran (whose new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is rumoured to be gay himself) is due to play Egypt in Seattle on 26 June 2026, in a fixture branded as a Pride Match by local host committee SeattleFWC26, rather than FIFA. Egypt and Iran had previously complained to FIFA about the Pride-themed match, while reporting at the time said rainbow flags would be allowed inside the stadium.
Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali said Iran had already raised concerns with FIFA ahead of the tournament.
“We have informed FIFA that if unofficial flags are brought or slogans against the national team are chanted in the stadiums where Iran plays in the World Cup, the team manager will definitely be responsible for stopping the match,” he said.
Donyamali added: “We have been assured that no disruptive incidents will occur in the stadium during the match against Egypt.”
Why the Seattle Pride Match is a flashpoint
The warning is widely understood as being aimed at preventing displays of the “Lion and Sun” flag associated with pre-1979 Iran, which some Iranian dissidents use in opposition to the current regime.
However, the broad reference to “unofficial flags” has raised concerns that rainbow flags and other Pride symbols could also be targeted inside the stadium.
Iran’s federation has previously pushed for only officially recognised national flags to be displayed at its matches, a demand that would affect Pride flags at the Seattle fixture if enforced.
Iran and Egypt were randomly drawn to play in Seattle’s Pride-themed match, prompting public reaction and lobbying around the event. Officials from both countries had previously asked FIFA to halt Pride-related activities linked to the match and effectively ban Pride flags during the fixture.
FIFA’s response and what happens next
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has urged a “focus on the football” approach when discussing Iran’s participation.
“When Iran plays, the stadium will be full, and I hope there will be a positive atmosphere because this is football,” he said, urging people to “promote the unity of the World Cup.”
He added: “This is about people forgetting for a moment their realities and being able to focus on a match and on a team.”
The dispute comes amid wider scrutiny of World Cup policies around fan expression, protest and LGBTQ+ supporter safety.
Iran’s participation has already become politically charged, with Reuters reporting that protesters have called for FIFA to remove Iran from the tournament over the regime’s human rights record, while Iranian-American fans are facing a difficult and divided World Cup experience amid war and political repression.
For LGBTQ+ supporters, the Seattle Pride Match has become a test of whether World Cup promises around inclusion will translate into visible support inside the stadium.
