Egypt’s Football Association (EFA) says it has written to FIFA asking the world governing body to stop any LGBTQ+ Pride-related activities planned around Egypt’s 2026 World Cup group match against Iran in Seattle.

The Group G fixture, scheduled for June 26, has been designated by Seattle’s local organisers as a “Pride Match” to coincide with the city’s annual Pride weekend. Reports suggest the plans, including celebrations and artwork around the stadium, were drafted before the World Cup draw paired Egypt with Iran—two countries where LGBTQ+ people face harsh penalties.

In a letter addressed to FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström, the Egyptian federation said it “categorically rejects any activities promoting LGBTQ during the match,” claiming such initiatives could “provoke cultural and religious sensitivities among fans.”

“These activities directly conflict with the cultural, religious and social values of the region, particularly in Arab and Islamic societies,” the EFA wrote, urging FIFA to ensure the match atmosphere “focuses solely on sport” and avoids displays that “contradict the beliefs of the participating nations.”

The federation cited FIFA statutes—particularly Article 4 on neutrality in political and social matters—and disciplinary rules requiring competitions to remain free of “manifestations that could cause tension or conflict among fans.”

The EFA also noted that the event has been organised by the local committee, not by FIFA itself. FIFA has not immediately responded to a request for comment.

Activists say LGBTQ+ people in Iran face severe punishment, including the death penalty for same-sex relations, while in Egypt morality laws are frequently used to prosecute LGBTQ+ individuals.

The issue recalls tensions at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when FIFA warned that players risked yellow cards for wearing the “OneLove” armband in support of LGBTQ+ rights, leading several European teams to drop plans to use it.

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World Cup matches at the 2026 tournament will have three-minute hydration breaks midway through each half regardless of the weather conditions, FIFA has said.

Referees will stop games 22 minutes into each half so players can rehydrate, soccer’s global governing body added in a statement.

FIFA said the new rule will streamline and simplify the previous rules, which required cooling breaks 30 minutes into each half when the temperature at kickoff exceeded 31 degrees Celsius.

“For every game, no matter where the games are played, no matter if there’s a roof, (or) temperature-wise, there will be a three-minute hydration break,” said Manolo Zubiria, the World Cup’s chief tournament officer in the United States.

“Obviously, if there’s an injury at the moment of the 20th or 21st minute and it’s ongoing, this will be addressed on the spot with the referee,” he added in a meeting with broadcasters in Washington.

Excessive heat raised concerns during this year’s Club World Cup held in the U.S., with several matches kicking off in the afternoon amid high temperatures.

A report published in September by Football for the Future, Common Goal and Jupiter Intelligence found 10 of the 16 venues for the World Cup, taking place in the U.S., Mexico and Canada, are at very high risk of extreme heat stress conditions.

“The use of hydration breaks is part of a focused attempt to ensure the best possible conditions for players, drawing upon the experiences of previous tournaments, including the recent FIFA Club World Cup,” FIFA added in Sunday’s statement.

-Reuters

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FIFA president Gianni Infantino apologised to Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni after a mix-up during Friday’s 2026 World Cup draw required the coach to wear gloves to touch the trophy. Infantino invited Scaloni to lift the Cup without gloves during a separate ceremony on Saturday.

The incident came during Friday’s draw for the tournament, set to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, when organisers seemingly failed to recognise the World Cup-winning coach.

Scaloni, visibly taken aback, said that the officials did not know who he was.

Twenty four hours later, at an event to confirm the tournament’s schedule, Infantino aimed to make amends.

“I apologise on behalf of FIFA. I didn’t know,” he said, calling Scaloni on stage and presenting him with the trophy.

“Of course, the world champions can touch the Cup. I apologise, I didn’t know,” repeated Infantino, adding with a laugh, “What an outrage! It’s just that when you’re a world champion, you look younger every day.”

Argentina will open their 2026 World Cup campaign on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City. They will then face Austria and Jordan.

-Reuters

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