Iran Coach Refuses Pride Debate Ahead Of Egypt Clash In Seattle

Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei has refused to be drawn into questions about Seattle’s Pride Match celebrations, insisting his side’s only concern is football ahead of Saturday’s World Cup meeting with Egypt.

The fixture has been designated a Pride Match by local organisers because it takes place on the Friday before the city’s Pride Weekend, which celebrates diversity and the LGBTQ+ community.

A series of Pride-themed events, including drag performances and watch parties, have been organised across Seattle, while rainbow flags will be displayed inside the stadium. The plans will go ahead despite objections from Iran and Egypt, where homosexuality is illegal.

Speaking before the match, which kicks off at 04:00 BST on Saturday, Ghalenoei dismissed questions on the subject and made it clear his focus remained on the game.

“We are here to play football, not for other things,” Ghalenoei said. “As for things that are forbidden in our religion and do not exist, we do not want to talk about them. We only talk about the match, football and the beauty of the game.”

Egypt also avoided discussing the Pride celebrations during their pre-match media duties, with both teams keeping attention firmly on football.

Seattle organisers, however, stressed that the timing of the event had nothing to do with the teams involved. They said Pride Weekend had been scheduled long before the tournament draw paired Iran with Egypt.

“We’re thrilled,” Hedda McLendon, from Seattle’s World Cup organising committee, told the BBC after the city’s Pride Match Day press briefing. “It might not be how you want to live or how things are in your country but this is something that makes us unique and we want you to experience it and be curious.”

McLendon said organisers would have celebrated Pride regardless of which nations were involved, adding that the occasion was intended to showcase both football and Seattle’s inclusive culture rather than provoke visiting teams.