WANA (Dec 11) – FIFA officials may be forced to relocate the group-stage match between Iran and Egypt due to protests from both countries over an event for LGBTQ+ individuals scheduled in Seattle.
The local organizing committee for the World Cup in Seattle had planned to dedicate the match, set for June 26 at Lumen Field, to the LGBTQ+ community. This decision has sparked objections from Iran and Egypt, the teams scheduled to face each other that day.
Despite the protests, Seattle organizers have insisted that the events will proceed “as planned” outside the stadium.
Kaveh Solhkol, an English-Iranian football journalist with Sky Sports, reported that FIFA may move the match to reduce tensions. Under this plan, the other Group-stage game (New Zealand vs. Belgium) would take place in Seattle instead, while Iran and Egypt would play at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, Canada.
The world will now be watching closely to see how FIFA responds to the match controversy and the local Seattle authorities’ decision.
The FIFA World Cup Trophy sits on a stand during an unveiling ceremony in Tehran, Iran, September 1, 2022. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
