11 countries criminalise & discriminate against gay footballers
President of FIFA
15 June 2026
Dear Gianni Infantino
Discrimination against gay players in selection for 2026 World Cup
I am writing on behalf of the human rights organisation, the Peter Tatchell Foundation, in London, UK, to express my concern that FIFA is allowing the exclusion of gay footballers from the 2026 World Cup.
Eleven World Cup teams would never permit the selection of a gay player for their squad: Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Ghana, Senegal, Qatar, Tunisia, Morocco, Iraq, Uzbekistan and Algeria.
All these countries criminalise homosexuality. They would be more likely to jail a star gay footballer, rather than select him for their national team.
This discrimination in team selection is against “FIFA statutes” (article 4.1) and “FIFA Regulations” (article 5.2 b), which prohibit discrimination based on “sexual orientation”.
See the Appendix that follows.
FIFA is allowing this discrimination and exclusion. It has not required, and has not received, confirmation from these 11 countries that they would select a gay player whose performance on the pitch merited inclusion in their national team.
FIFA has a duty, under its own rules, to suspend or expel countries that exclude gay footballers.
I urge you to seek confirmation in writing from the 11 national teams that they will not bar the selection of gay players. Will you please do this?
If they fail to give this confirmation, I request that you bar their participation in the 2026 World Cup, in accordance with FIFA Statute 4.1, which stipulates “suspension or expulsion” from the World Cup for countries that discriminate. Can you please assure me that you will invoke these sanctions against non-compliant teams?
It has been reported that Iran has threatened FIFA that it will stop play if “unofficial flags” are displayed by fans at its match against Egypt on 26 June in Seattle. Is this true?
This sounds like FIFA is being ‘blackmailed’ by Iran to ban LGBT+ rainbow flags, with the threat of match stoppages if you don’t. That is against FIFA rules.
I would appreciate your confirmation that LGBT+ fans and rainbow flags will be welcome at the Iran versus Egypt match on 26 June – and at all other matches.
Iran is also claiming that FIFA has pledged that “no disruptive incidents will occur” during its matches, in particular on 26 June in Seattle.
Is this true? What does it mean? What would constitute a disruptive incident? Would waving a rainbow flag be construed as disruptive?
Can I please have your assurance that rainbow flags will be permitted in the stadium at the Iran versus Egypt match – and at all other matches and stadiums?
Your clarification of these issues would be much appreciated.
Yours sincerely, with best wishes for a 2026 World Cup without discrimination.
Peter Tatchell – CEO, Peter Tatchell Foundation – London, UK
APPENDIX
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.
Article 4. 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.
Regulations for the FIFA World Cup 26
ARTICLE 5: PARTICIPATING MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS – RESPONSIBILITIES
5.2 On entering the FIFA World Cup 26, the Participating Member Associations automatically undertake to:
- b) observe and comply with the FIFA Statutes (including 4.1)
https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/636f5c9c6f29771f/original/FWC2026_regulations_EN.pdf