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Rainbow flags dot Iran and Egypt's match as Seattle celebrates Pride during the World Cup
By Hallie Golden And Andrew Destin, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· June 26, 2026
· 5 min read
Rainbow flags fluttered among the sea of Iranian and Egyptian banners at Seattle’s World Cup stadium Friday, as teams from two of the most repressive countries for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people took to the field.It was just a coincidence that the city’s “Pride Match” ended up as a...
Key takeaway It was just a coincidence that the city’s “Pride Match” ended up as a high-stakes matchup between Iran and Egypt — ultimately a 1-1 draw — and it came with plenty of pushback from both countries.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
Seattle's display of inclusivity during the World Cup match between Iran and Egypt has significant implications for San Antonio , a city with its own diverse community. As a city that values its cultural heritage and welcomes people from all backgrounds, San Antonio can learn from Seattle's approach to promoting inclusivity and respect for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or identity. The fact that Seattle's soccer community and officials embraced the "Pride Match" as an opportunity to showcase the city's values is a testament to the power of sports to bring people together and promote social change. San Antonio, with its own rich cultural scene and strong sense of community, can draw inspiration from Seattle's example and continue to foster an environment of acceptance and inclusivity, particularly in its own public events and celebrations. This approach can help to strengthen the bonds between different communities in San Antonio and promote a more harmonious and respectful city.
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: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Rainbow flags fluttered among the sea of Iranian and Egyptian banners at Seattle’s World Cup stadium Friday, as teams from two of the most repressive countries for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people took to the field.It was just a coincidence that the city’s “Pride Match” ended up as a...
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 Hallie Golden And 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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