Iran-Egypt World Cup showdown collides with Seattle’s Pride celebrations

Soccer fans talk to OutKick outside the Iran-Egypt World Cup group match in Seattle on Friday night as the city’s Pride celebrations become a point of controversy for the two nations competing.

There are more than 200 countries that compete in FIFA, but when Seattle decided to turn a crucial World Cup group finale into an unofficial Pride Match, the soccer gods delivered the ultimate punchline.

Iran versus Egypt.

So we at OutKick headed to Lumen Field to see what happened when Seattle's culture war met the Middle East.

Despite heavy pushback from both federations, Iranian and Egyptian fans unfurl their flags right in the middle of Seattle's World Cup Pride celebrations.  ( OutKi)

By the time we arrived hours before kickoff, downtown was already filling with fans draped in Egyptian, Iranian and rainbow flags.

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Because this is Seattle, the local organizing committee designated the June 26 Group G finale as the city's official "Pride Match Day."

Out of all the countries that could have landed in this slot, the tournament draw delivered two federations you absolutely would not expect to headline a match during "Pride Weekend," as the organizing committee in Seattle, SeattleFWC26, has called it.

Seattle's official Pride Match featured Iran and Egypt. Yes, really.  (OutKick)

Unsurprisingly, neither federation wanted any part of it.

Both urged FIFA to distance the match from Pride messaging.

Egypt "categorically" rejected activities promoting homosexuality, while Iran said FIFA should respect its cultural values. Rumors even circulated that players might refuse to play.

FIFA's response? Kick rocks.

The governing body refused to restrict Pride displays,