'Pride Match' crisis at the World Cup: FIFA's decision mobilizes Egypt and Iran

FIFA has declared the Iran-Egypt match to be played in Seattle as a "Pride Match." With this decision, it was announced that fans would be allowed to bring rainbow flags into the stadium.

The Iranian and Egyptian sides requested that no LGBT-themed activities be permitted during the match. However, FIFA did not accept this request.

In a statement released by FIFA, the following was noted:

"The FIFA World Cup is an inclusive event that embraces people from all backgrounds. Fans of all sexual orientations and gender identities are welcome."

It was reported that the match between Iran and Egypt will be played on June 27 at 07:00 TRT.

OFFICIAL REACTION FROM TWO FEDERATIONS

Mehdi Taj, President of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, criticized his country's inclusion in the "Pride Match" framework for this encounter, describing the practice as "an irrational approach that supports a specific group."

The Egyptian Football Association sent an official letter to FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström. The federation stated that they reject any attempt "aimed at supporting homosexuality" during the match.

The statement expressed that such practices are incompatible with the cultural, religious, and social values of the region, particularly those of Arab and Islamic societies.

AUSTRALIA IN THE ROUND OF 32

In the final week of Group D, Paraguay and Australia faced off at Levi's Stadium in San Francisco. The match ended in a goalless draw.

Following the match, Australia finished the group in second place with 4 points and a superior goal difference, advancing to the round of 32.

Paraguay placed third with 4 points and a minus 2 goal difference. The team's status in the tournament will be finalized after the matches in other groups are played.

The Turkish National Football Team concluded the tournament with a victory, defeating the USA 3-2 in their final group match.

NETHERLANDS ADVANCES AS GROUP WINNER

In the final match of Group F, the Netherlands faced Tunisia. The Netherlands won the match played at Arrowhead Stadium 3-1.

The goals for the Netherlands came from an own goal by Ellyes Skhiri in the 3rd minute, Brian Brobbey in the 7th minute, and Jan Paul van Hecke in the 62nd minute. Tunisia's only goal was scored by Hazem Mastouri in the 54th minute.

Following this result, the Netherlands increased their points to 7, finished the group as leaders, and advanced to the round of 32.

NETHERLANDS' OPPONENT IS MOROCCO

The Netherlands, having finished the group as leaders, were matched with Group C runners-up Morocco in the round of 32. The two teams will face each other on June 30.

Tunisia, whose elimination from the tournament was already certain, finished the group stage without any points.

JAPAN AND SWEDEN ALSO ADVANCE

In the final week of Group F played in Dallas, Japan and Sweden drew 1-1.

While Japan took the lead with a goal from Daizen Maeda in the 56th minute, Sweden equalized in the 62nd minute with a goal from Anthony Elanga from outside the penalty area.

Following the match, Japan finished the group in second place with 5 points and became Brazil's opponent in the round of 32.

Sweden, reaching 4 points, managed to advance to the round of 32 by placing among the best third-placed teams.

NAGATOMO MAKES HISTORY

Yuto Nagatomo, the experienced player of the Japanese National Team, came on as a substitute in the Sweden match, earning the title of the first Asian footballer to play in five different World Cups in his career.

Nagatomo made tournament history by participating in the 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, and 2026 World Cups.

NOTABLE RECORD FROM SWEDEN

Sweden made statistics with the goals they scored from outside the penalty area during the group stage.

The Scandinavian representative reached 4 goals in this category, becoming the team with the most goals scored from outside the penalty area in the group stages since Brazil in the 2006 World Cup.

CARBON EMISSION CALCULATION FOR THE 2026 WORLD CUP

In environmental impact assessments regarding the tournament, it was stated that the 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to be the organization causing the highest carbon emissions to date.

According to calculations, approximately 9 million tons of carbon emissions will be generated throughout the tournament, with 7.7 million tons of this attributed to air travel.

News Source: 12punto