In the USA, there will be a “Pride Game” dedicated to the local LGBTQ+ community at the upcoming World Cup. After the draw, the pairing has now been determined. It couldn’t be more explosive.
It has been clear for some time that there will be a so-called “Pride Game” dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community at next year’s World Cup. The Seattle Local Organizing Committee has announced plans to tag the game on Friday, June 26th. The Pridefest is taking place in the US city that weekend, and the World Cup group game is expected to be part of the celebrations.
After the draw, the pairing for the “Pride Game” is now set – and this is hard to beat in terms of explosiveness. On June 26th, Iran and Egypt will meet in Seattle. Neither country is known for its open attitude towards the LGBTQ+ community. In Iran, homosexual acts can be punished with lashes or, in worst cases, even death. In Egypt, same-sex sexual acts are not explicitly punished, but are nevertheless criminalized through so-called moral regulations.
Despite the pairing, Seattle wants to stick to the Pride game plans. “The Pride Match was set up to celebrate and promote Pride events in Seattle and across the country, and it was planned well in advance,” a spokesman for a specially formed advisory committee told the LGBT portal Outsports. Postponing it to another date would be difficult anyway. The USA’s group game against Australia (June 19) is already under the banner of the Juneteenth holiday in honor of the liberation of the African-American population from slavery; Egypt and Qatar, also difficult in terms of human rights, are again involved in the other two group games played in Seattle.
FIFA not involved in Seattle plans
The spokesman continued: “Football has the unique power to unite people across borders, cultures and faiths. It is an honor for us to host a Pride game and celebrate Pride as part of a global football community. This game reflects our ongoing commitment to respect, dignity and unity for all.” Incidentally, Seattle’s plans were made without FIFA’s involvement.
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Democrat Katie Wilson, who will take office as mayor on January 1, made the comments on social media. “We can show the world that everyone is welcome in Seattle. What an incredible honor for our city,” she said.
Wilson attracted attention a few weeks ago because she was targeted by US President Donald Trump. “If we believe that there will be problems in Seattle, which has a very, very liberal, almost communist mayor (…): Gianni (Fifa President Infantino, editor)“Can I then say that we will postpone the event?” he launched into an attack at a press conference in the Oval Office.
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