The 2026 World Cup, which will take place next year in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, is certain to be very different from previous editions. This is because the 2026 World Cup will feature special events to celebrate diversity, particularly LGBT people.

The celebration is scheduled to be held exclusively on June 26, 2026, at Seattle Stadium. The organizing committee, as quoted by the AP on Wednesday (December 10, 2025), stated that the celebration will be a rare occasion to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community in the United States.

The problem is that the event itself has been criticized by 2026 World Cup participants, Egypt and Iran. The Egyptian Football Federation stated that it has sent an official letter to FIFA rejecting any form of LGBTQ+ support activities during the match. Meanwhile, the President of the Iranian Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, called the match's scheduling "unreasonable and illogical," and confirmed that the objections would be brought to the FIFA Council meeting in Qatar next week.

The situation escalated further when the Egypt vs. Iran match was confirmed for Seattle after FIFA decided to replace Vancouver, the venue for Belgium and New Zealand, the other two teams in the same group. Seattle, having hosted PrideFest since 2007, has seen the local community promote its art and community programs in preparation for the 2026 World Cup.

Local organizers have insisted they will not change their plans. Committee spokesperson Hana Tadesse said Seattle is home to a diverse diaspora community of Iranian-Americans, Egyptians, and other nationalities participating in the tournament. 

"We are committed to ensuring that all residents and visitors feel a sense of warmth, respect, and dignity," he said. 

Seattle Mayor-elect Kate Wilson expressed similar support, calling Pride an opportunity to showcase the city's inclusivity to the world. FIFA has so far not officially commented on the protests by Egypt and Iran or the possible change in the venues of other group matches.

The organization only has jurisdiction over official stadiums and fan zones during tournaments, making it unable to organize community events like PrideFest.  This debate places FIFA in a dilemma. 

At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, FIFA defended the host nation's right to uphold local cultural norms, including a ban on rainbow symbols like the " One Love " captain's armband. Now, Egypt and Iran are demanding the opposite from host city Seattle, which has a strong tradition of celebrating diversity.