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Iran's head coach Amir Ghalenoei said his team would discuss only football before facing Egypt in a match designated a Pride Match in Seattle. The game kicks off at 04:00 BST on Saturday during the 2026 World Cup.
go.forrester.comIran head coach Amir Ghalenoei said he would not address issues tied to the Pride Match designation before his team's match against Egypt. "We are here to play football, not for other things," Ghalenoei stated. "As for things that are forbidden in our religion and do not exist, we do not want to talk about them.
Local organizers designated the fixture a Pride Match because it falls on the Friday before Pride Weekend. Rainbow flags will fly inside the Seattle stadium, and drag performances plus Pride watch parties are scheduled across the city. The match starts at 04:00 BST on Saturday.
Hedda McLendon of Seattle's World Cup organizing committee said the timing was not intended to provoke. "We're thrilled," McLendon stated. " Jess Fishlock, who has played for Seattle Reign FC for 13 years, said the event centered on the host city.
"The match is about Seattle, not Egypt or Iran," Fishlock stated. FIFA confirmed rainbow flags are permitted under stadium rules but emphasized this remains a standard World Cup match rather than an official FIFA Pride event. Egypt enters the match after defeating New Zealand.
At a Seattle fan zone, Egyptian supporters including Makarius Demian said the Pride designation was irrelevant to the result on the pitch. Ayman Almasri and Amani Abouammo are operating a Koshari pop-up restaurant at the same venue.
These outlets didn't split into competing frames — coverage was uniform.
Al JazeeraSouth Africa defeated South Korea 1-0 to finish second in Group A and will face Canada on Sunday in Los Angeles. Coach Hugo Broos called the qualification a historic achievement after earlier group losses and a draw.
The Boston Red Sox placed infielder Marcelo Mayer on the 10-day injured list Friday due to a left forearm injury. The team recalled infielder Tsung-Che Cheng from Triple-A Worcester to fill the roster spot.