Webportal for the LGBT Sporting communities, Outsports reports on more corrupt thinking from the quisling like FIFA over the World Cup.

Iran’s football federation has formally asked FIFA for a series of assurances regarding its national team’s involvement in this summer’s World Cup, with particular focus on the types of flags spectators are allowed to display inside stadiums.

The Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran has submitted a list of requests, one of which calls for only state-approved national flags to be permitted during the team’s matches. This would apply to flags carried by supporters in the stands as well as those displayed elsewhere in the venue.

If implemented, the measure would effectively ban Pride rainbow flags from Iran’s Group G fixture against Egypt in Seattle on 26 June. That match has already been designated a “Pride Match” by the local organising committee in the city.

The Iranian federation’s demands have been made public through its official website and via state-run media outlets.

With just one month to go before the tournament begins, the United States, Canada and Mexico are acting as joint hosts for the event.

Contrast with Qatar 2022

The situation marks a notable shift from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where local legislation restricted LGBTQ expression and officials confiscated some rainbow-themed items from supporters. So far, no indication has emerged that Pride flags will be banned or limited at this year’s competition.

FIFA has yet to issue a public response to the Iranian federation’s demands, which also include requests that all travelling players, coaches and officials receive the necessary visas, and that the team be provided with additional security measures.

Iran is one of two competing nations whose citizens face a full travel ban to the United States. Haiti is the other.

Human rights framework under scrutiny

The Iranian request for a guarantee that only officially recognised national flags appear in stadiums creates a difficult situation for both FIFA and American authorities.

A human rights framework document published in June 2024 by the FWC26 organising body describes a tournament environment that “aims to respect and protect the right to peaceful assembly [and] the right to freedom of opinion and expression.” Although the document does not specifically mention Pride flags or symbols, it does reference LGBTQ individuals and communities as being among “groups or populations that may be at a heightened risk of being adversely impacted.”

Meanwhile, in late April, the SeattleFWC26 committee—which operates independently of FIFA and the US government—announced that “inclusive celebrations” and “supporting the right to peaceful assembly” were central to its own human rights priorities.

Since it was confirmed last December that Iran and Egypt would contest the previously designated Pride Match—a development that prompted both national federations to complain to FIFA—the host city has adopted a notably careful approach to its plans.

Nonetheless, specially commissioned Pride artwork created by local designers continues to feature in Seattle’s public visual messaging. Sharon Blyth-Moss recently posted a photograph on Instagram of her Pride poster, which depicts a Dungeness crab and forms part of a public art installation on 53 Monorail support columns along 5th Avenue.