A Seattle Pride Match Advisory Committee member has called upon FIFA to permit planned LGBTQ+ celebrations during the World Cup fixture between Egypt and Iran, turning the governing body's own Qatar 2022 messaging back upon itself.
Eric Wahl pointed to the rhetoric employed four years ago when visitors were instructed to honour local customs in the Gulf state.
"In Qatar they said we had to respect the culture," Wahl stated.
The match at Lumen Field on 26 June falls during Seattle Pride weekend, merely two days before the Stonewall Riots anniversary.
The World Cup's plans for a designated "Pride Match" will still go ahead | GETTYWahl confirmed FIFA had made no contact regarding the celebrations, adding: "I know Egypt are petitioning Fifa, but it raises ethical issues."
The Egyptian Football Association has lodged a formal objection with FIFA, dispatching correspondence to secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom.
The Egyptian governing body rejected "in absolute terms" any activities connected to LGBTQ+ support during the fixture.
Their statement argued that such initiatives would conflict with "the cultural, religious and social values" of both Egypt and Iran.
The association invoked FIFA's own statutes concerning political and social neutrality, contending that matches ought not serve as platforms for causes deemed "sensitive or of a contentious nature".
Egyptian officials have urged the world governing body to ensure the encounter remains centred purely on football
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Egyptian officials urged the world governing body to ensure the encounter remains centred purely on football.
Iranian media have reportedly voiced similar criticism of the Pride Match arrangements.
Both nations maintain laws restricting LGBTQ+ rights, with Iran imposing the death penalty as maximum punishment for homosexual relations.
Wahl indicated that preparations remain firmly on track despite the objections from Egyptian and Iranian quarters.
The committee member acknowledged that whilst organisers have no direct involvement with activities inside the stadium, Pride flags appearing in the stands would be entirely characteristic of the city.
"It is a very Seattle thing to have Pride flags inside the ground," he remarked.
He extended an open invitation to all those connected with the Egyptian and Iranian football delegations.
"Everyone affiliated with Egypt and Iran soccer teams are welcome at our parades and events, we are sure they will see it," Wahl said.
American reporter Grant Wahl was briefly detained by Qatari authorities for attempting to enter a stadium wearing a rainbow shirt in support of LGBT rights
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The celebrations will feature artwork from a poster competition displayed across Seattle, alongside an LGBTQ+ history trail for visitors to explore throughout Pride Month.
The Pride Match carries profound personal significance for Wahl, whose brother Grant died whilst covering the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Grant Wahl, an American sport journalist, had been briefly detained by Qatari authorities for attempting to enter a stadium wearing a rainbow shirt in support of LGBT rights. He collapsed and died aged 48 during the Argentina versus Netherlands quarter-final.
"I told Grant not to poke the bear, but Grant was Grant," Wahl reflected. "He loved soccer, but not with blinkers on."
For Wahl, the fixture represents an opportunity to convey solidarity to LGBTQ+ individuals in both competing nations.
"It would mean a great deal to me to know that a football fan in Iran... and Egypt... sees this," he explained. "That welcome can be revolutionary."