11 World Cup countries ban gay players, against FIFA rules
Seattle, US / London, UK, 24th June 2026
FIFA has been accused of failing to vet World Cup teams over discrimination against gay footballers, ahead of the Iran v Egypt “Pride Match” in Seattle on 26 June. This claim follows a letter that was sent by FIFA to British human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, who is now in Seattle.
Mr Tatchell says: “FIFA is allowing countries that criminalise homosexuality to compete without confirming whether their national football associations would select a gay player if he was good enough.”
Iran and Egypt – the two teams due to play in Seattle’s “Pride Match” this Friday – are among 11 World Cup nations identified by the Peter Tatchell Foundation as criminalising homosexuality.
Last week, its CEO, Mr Tatchell wrote to FIFA President Gianni Infantino urging FIFA to seek written assurances from Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Ghana, Senegal, Qatar, Tunisia, Morocco, Iraq, Uzbekistan and Algeria that no player would be excluded from their national squad because they are gay.
FIFA’s reply to Mr Tatchell on 23 June 2026, fails to address this key question.
FIFA’s own Statutes (4.1) prohibit discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. However, in its reply to Mr Tatchell dated 23rd June 2026, FIFA did not say whether it had checked if the 11 national associations comply with those rules, nor whether it would require them to provide written assurances on gay player’s eligibility for selection in their national team if his talent and performance on the team merited it.
FIFA’s letter has evaded its responsibility to enforce its own Statutes, and instead shifted responsibility back to the national associations, stating: “The selection of players is the responsibility of the respective participating FIFA member associations.”
FIFA’s reply also said that “discrimination of any kind, including on account of sexual orientation or any other reason, has no place in our game.”
Mr Tatchell says: “FIFA’s response raises serious questions about why teams from countries that criminalise homosexuality are being allowed to compete, without being asked to confirm that gay footballers would be eligible for selection.”
FIFA has, however, confirmed that “fans of all sexual orientations and gender identities are welcome at FIFA World Cup matches and events” and that “rainbow flags and other flags representing sexual orientation and gender identity are permitted items” under the Stadium Code of Conduct.
Mr Tatchell says: “FIFA is protecting LGBT+ visibility in the stands while failing to protect LGBT+ players on the pitch.”
The human rights campaigner, who is now in Seattle ahead of the Iran v Egypt match, added: “FIFA is staging a Pride Match between Iran and Egypt while refusing to say whether it has checked if either country would select a gay footballer. That is a shocking failure of governance and accountability.
“FIFA cannot simply hand responsibility back to national associations from countries that criminalise homosexuality and pretend its anti-discrimination rules are being enforced.
“If FIFA has not asked these teams whether gay players can be selected, it has no evidence that they comply with its own rules. This exposes the hypocrisy at the heart of FIFA’s Pride Match. + fans may be welcome as spectators, but FIFA has failed to ensure LGBT+ players are welcome as footballers.”
Mr Tatchell’s original letter to the FIFA president also asked FIFA to respond to reports that Iran had threatened to stop play if “unofficial flags” such as LGBT+ rainbow ones, were displayed by fans, and to confirm that LGBT+ fans and rainbow flags would be welcome specifically at the Iran v Egypt match on 26 June in Seattle.
Notes to Editors
FIFA Statutes and Regulations Referenced
FIFA Statutes — Article 3: Human Rights
FIFA is committed to respecting all internationally recognised human rights and shall strive to promote the protection of these rights.
FIFA Statutes — Article 4.1: Non-discrimination, Equality and Neutrality
Discrimination of any kind against a country, private person or group of people on account of race, skin colour, ethnic, national or social origin, gender, disability, language, religion, political opinion or any other opinion, wealth, birth or any other status, sexual orientation or any other reason is strictly prohibited and punishable by suspension or expulsion.
FIFA World Cup 26 Regulations — Article 5.2(b): Participating Member Associations — Responsibilities
On entering the FIFA World Cup 26, the Participating Member Associations automatically undertake to observe and comply with the FIFA Statutes (this includes 4.1).