The local organizing committee in Seattle has announced plans for a match designated as an LGBTQ+ Pride Match during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This event is scheduled for June 26 at Lumen Field and will coincide with Seattle's official Pride weekend. The match will feature teams from Egypt and Iran, both of which have laws that criminalize homosexuality, with Iran imposing severe penalties, including the death penalty, for homosexual relations, and Egypt employing morality laws that restrict LGBTQ+ rights.

The Seattle Pride Match Advisory Committee, responsible for organizing the event, has stated that the match will proceed as planned, emphasizing its commitment to celebrating and elevating Pride events. A spokesperson noted that the match reflects soccer's potential to unite diverse communities and promote respect and dignity for all individuals.

This initiative is not without precedent; previous attempts to support LGBTQ+ rights during World Cup events have faced challenges. For instance, during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, FIFA warned players against wearing the OneLove armband, which symbolized support for LGBTQ+ individuals, threatening them with yellow cards. Teams such as England and Wales ultimately chose not to wear the armband in light of FIFA's ruling.

The Seattle event is organized independently of FIFA, highlighting local efforts to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights in a global sporting context, despite the legal and cultural challenges present in the participating countries.