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Iran and Egypt avoid talking about World Cup ‘Pride Match’ in Seattle
By Andrew Destin, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· June 26, 2026
· 4 min read
Before the Iranian coach and goalkeeper answered any questions Thursday ahead of the team's World Cup match with Egypt, a FIFA official spoke up.Daniel Marin, FIFA's executive director of public relations, read a statement on behalf of the Iranian team in light of the Pride celebration in Seattle...
Key takeaway Daniel Marin, FIFA's executive director of public relations, read a statement on behalf of the Iranian team in light of the Pride celebration in Seattle on Friday.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
San Antonio residents may be watching the World Cup match between Iran and Egypt with interest, given the city's own vibrant LGBTQ+ community. As a city that hosts numerous cultural events and festivals, including its own Pride celebrations, San Antonians may be particularly aware of the tensions surrounding the Pride-themed festivities in Seattle. The fact that FIFA is treating the rainbow flag as a statement of human rights and allowing fans to wave it inside the stadium may resonate with local advocates for LGBTQ+ rights. Meanwhile, the Iranian and Egyptian teams' attempts to steer the conversation away from Pride and back to the match may be seen as a reflection of the complex and often fraught relationships between sports, culture, and human rights. As the match approaches, San Antonians may be wondering how the city's own sports teams and organizations would navigate similar situations, and what this says about the role of sports in promoting inclusivity and respect for human rights.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Before the Iranian coach and goalkeeper answered any questions Thursday ahead of the team's World Cup match with Egypt, a FIFA official spoke up.Daniel Marin, FIFA's executive director of public relations, read a statement on behalf of the Iranian team in light of the Pride celebration in Seattle...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Andrew Destin, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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