{"id":179494,"date":"2026-06-26T23:48:07","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T23:48:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/179494\/"},"modified":"2026-06-26T23:48:07","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T23:48:07","slug":"live-seattle-world-cup-updates-egypt-iran-meet-amid-protests-pride-match-celebrations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/179494\/","title":{"rendered":"Live: Seattle World Cup updates: Egypt-Iran meet amid protests, \u2018Pride Match\u2019 celebrations"},"content":{"rendered":"

Egypt and Iran meet on the pitch of Seattle Stadium<\/a> on Friday night in the fourth of six FIFA Men\u2019s World Cup<\/a> matches in Seattle.<\/p>\n

Friday\u2019s game has been designated as a \u201cPride Match\u201d by Seattle\u2019s local organizing committee<\/a> to kick off the city\u2019s Pride celebrations this weekend.<\/p>\n

Egypt and Iran pushed back against being associated with the match; same-sex relationships are criminalized in both countries. But festivities will continue as planned.<\/p>\n

The Iranian team has also dealt with logistical and bureaucratic challenges because of the war between its country and the United States.<\/p>\n

Hours before the match, groups of protesters criticizing<\/a> and supporting the Islamic Regime have gathered near Occidental Square<\/a>.<\/p>\n

On the field, Iran needs a win to guarantee it will advance to the World Cup knockout stage; a draw might not get it done. Egypt is likely already in, so doesn\u2019t have as much to play for besides seeding, but a win on Friday would mean another match in Seattle in the Round of 32 on July 1.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how to watch the match on TV<\/a>. And here are tips for navigating transit<\/a> that has been boasting record numbers this summer.<\/p>\n

Follow along as we cover the \u201cPride Match\u201d celebrations and the World Cup match from inside and outside of Seattle Stadium.<\/p>\n


\n 4:46 pm <\/a><\/p>\n

Egypt fans from Portland steering clear of political protests<\/p>\n

Mary and Joe Youssef, Egyptian immigrants from Portland wearing pharaonic fan garb, said they’re focused on the soccer and are trying to steer clear of the Iranian diaspora politics that are playing out in Seattle streets this afternoon.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wish to win\u201d the game and advance to the World Cup\u2019s knockout stage riding high, said Joe, 73, who also remarked on how nice everyone in Seattle has been to them.<\/p>\n

\u2014Daniel Beekman<\/p>\n


\n 4:36 pm <\/a><\/p>\n

Iranian soccer fan bemoans politicians and calls for respect around stadium<\/p>\n

Beza from Toronto, who declined to share his last name, said he played for Iranian youth national teams before moving abroad. He was carrying an Iran flag and a photo of a boy who was killed in a U.S. strike during the war earlier this year.<\/p>\n

He said he feels like virtually all politicians, including Iran\u2019s current leaders and U.S. President Donald Trump, are \u201cgarbage.\u201d He wishes people around Seattle Stadium would respect each other and said he’ll be supporting the soccer.<\/p>\n

\u2014Daniel Beekman<\/p>\n

Shouting breaks out between Islamic Republic regime protesters and supporters near stadium<\/p>\n

Some shouting and chanting broke out briefly after 4 p.m. at Occidental Avenue South and South Jackson Street with critics of the Islamic Republic regime, who support crown prince Reza Pahlavi, on one side and a smaller group of people with Islamic Republic and Palestinian flags on the other.<\/p>\n

The group of protesters criticizing the regime were standing on Occidental, carrying lion and sun flags and chanting, \u201cHey hey ho ho Islamic regime must go\u201d and \u201cJustice for Iran.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014Daniel Beekman and Sofia Schwarzwalder<\/p>\n


\n 4:19 pm <\/a><\/p>\n

Players and fans could be in for breezy evening<\/p>\n

Players and fans at the Egypt vs. Iran match at Seattle Stadium could be in for a breezy evening with a chance of thunderstorms.<\/p>\n

Southwest winds are forecast between 9 and 14 mph, according to the National Weather Service, with gusts up to 20 mph. Temperatures during the game will be in the upper 50s to lower 60s.<\/p>\n

There’s a 40% chance of precipitation and a “slight” chance of a thunderstorm, according to the weather service. <\/p>\n

\u2014Paige Cornwell<\/p>\n


\n 4:03 pm <\/a><\/p>\n

Egypt fans: ‘A lot of cultures’ bringing ‘really great’ vibes outside Seattle Stadium<\/p>\n

Tim Esraeel, along with his father, Hany, and brother, Joseph, came up from Orange County, Calif., to watch Egypt play. Their family watched the Pharoahs play back in 2017 in Egypt, a legendary game in which the team qualified for a spot in the 2018 World Cup.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s been great today, a lot of cultures, a lot of people, the vibes have been really great,\u201d Tim Esraeel said, wearing an Egypt-themed cowboy hat.<\/p>\n

Standing outside the stadium, his brother said he’d love to see a final score of 3-0 \u2014 \u201ca Mo Salah hat trick.\u201d \u201cThat’s the dream,\u201d Tim replied.<\/p>\n

\u2014Alex Yoon-Hendricks<\/p>\n


\n 3:35 pm <\/a><\/p>\n

Protesters gather near Occidental Square<\/p>\n

Just south of Occidental Square around 3 p.m., a group of Iranian Americans gathered to protest the Islamic Regime, shouting \u201cshame on you\u201d and waving lion and sun flags.<\/p>\n

Karla Mohtashemi, a Seattle resident and board member of Voice of Iran, said the Iran national team set to play at Seattle Stadium later this evening represents the oppressive government they hope to see replaced.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are calling them the regime team,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The group plans to march toward Seattle Stadium later this afternoon.<\/p>\n

\u2014Alexandra Yoon-Hendricks<\/p>\n


\n 2:49 pm <\/a><\/p>\n

Transit options and tips for getting to World Cup games<\/p>\n

Light rail, a match day King County Metro bus shuttle, Puget Sound ferries and commuter trains converge near Seattle Stadium and the Pioneer Square pedestrian zone.<\/p>\n

With light rail trains carrying record crowds in this summer of soccer, Seattle\u2019s buses and other transportation lines are also stepping up as popular options. Here are tips for getting around<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2014Mike Lindlom<\/p>\n


\n 2:49 pm <\/a><\/p>\n

How to get to Seattle Stadium<\/p>\n

FIFA and local officials have encouraged people not to drive and instead get to matches by train, bus, ferry and bike or on foot.<\/p>\n


\n 2:34 pm <\/a><\/p>\n

What to know when Egypt plays Iran in Seattle<\/p>\n

After hosting three games during the past two weeks, Seattle\u2019s FIFA Men\u2019s World Cup slate is officially at the halfway mark.<\/p>\n

And on Friday, Egypt, the seven-time CAF African Cup of Nations champions, returns to Seattle to face Iran, the three-time AFC Asian Cup champions, for the last game of Group G.<\/p>\n

Controversy swirls around the game, designated as the \u201cPride Match\u201d by the city\u2019s World Cup organizers and featuring an Iranian team that\u2019s dealt with several logistical and bureaucratic challenges because of the war between its country and the United States.<\/p>\n

But there\u2019s still a game to be played, so here\u2019s what to watch as Egypt and Iran try to secure their spots in the knockout stage.<\/p>\n

READ MORE >>><\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014Andy Yamashita<\/p>\n


\n 2:32 pm <\/a><\/p>\n

Local FIFA organizing committee ready to celebrate World Cup Pride Match<\/p>\n

When Seattle was awarded six FIFA Men\u2019s World Cup matches in February 2024, the June 26 date was tagged the \u201cPride Match\u201d by SeattleFWC26, the local FIFA organizing committee. It coincides with the last weekend of the month when the city\u2019s Pride party culminates with a parade Sunday.<\/p>\n

When the draw in December had Egypt and Iran as the nations playing the group-stage game in Seattle there was pushback. The Muslim countries criminalize homosexuality and petitioned FIFA President Gianni Infantino for assurances that support of homosexuality wouldn\u2019t occur during the match.<\/p>\n

SeattleFWC26 confirmed Thursday plans to celebrate inclusivity, love and self-expression outside Seattle Stadium will happen throughout the match. Speakers at a news conference in Pioneer Square encouraged fans to wear Pride gear to the match, support LGBTQ+ businesses and revel in the celebration that would be evident across the city regardless of the World Cup.<\/p>\n

READ MORE >>><\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014Jayda Evans<\/p>\n


\n 2:30 pm <\/a><\/p>\n

Egypt, Iran teams only talk soccer before Seattle match<\/p>\n

Before a question could be asked of the Iran\u2019s soccer representatives on Thursday afternoon, it was made clear they only had intentions of addressing anything related to the game played on the field.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Islamic Republic of the Iran Football Federation has asked us to inform the media that they are only willing to answer questions in relation to the game. We fully respect the right of all journalists to ask questions. In this case, we ask you respect the rights of the federation here today to only answer questions in relation to the team, the tactics, the match, and so on,\u201d FIFA\u2019s Daniel Marin said before the news conference started.<\/p>\n

And then Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei proceeded to be asked on multiple occasions whether his team will be able to focus just on what\u2019s happening on the field Friday night facing Egypt in its final group stage match of the FIFA Men\u2019s World Cup and not be distracted by what might be going on in the stands or outside of Seattle Stadium.<\/p>\n

READ MORE >>><\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014Tim Booth<\/p>\n


\n 2:27 pm <\/a><\/p>\n

Who were the winners and losers when Seattle\u2019s World Cup fan festival spread across the city?<\/p>\n

\u2014Margo Vansynghel<\/p>\n


\n 2:27 pm <\/a><\/p>\n

Want to watch with friends? We have you covered<\/p>\n

\u2014Seattle Times staff <\/p>\n


\n 2:27 pm <\/a><\/p>\n

18 new downtown Seattle restaurants are open now<\/p>\n

Nobody should watch the World Cup on an empty stomach. <\/p>\n

If you’re milling about downtown Seattle, Pioneer Square or the Chinatown International District this weekend, you’re bound to a work up an appetite. <\/p>\n

You’re in luck: We recently rounded up 18 new restaurants and cafes within walking distance from Seattle Stadium. (Soccer fans wear walking shoes, right?) <\/p>\n

Read the full roundup here<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\u2014Tan Vinh<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Egypt and Iran meet on the pitch of Seattle Stadium on Friday night in the fourth of six…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":179495,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[3],"tags":[655,2982,34,27580,2576,2577,39171,39904],"class_list":["post-179494","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-iran","tag-egypt","tag-fifa","tag-iran","tag-pride","tag-soccer","tag-world-cup","tag-worldcup","tag-wpresize"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@iran\/116819086658026357","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/179494","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=179494"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/179494\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/179495"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=179494"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=179494"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=179494"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}