At a fan zone, we found Egyptian supporters cheering for Mexico just days before Egypt faces Iran. For them, Pride wasn’t a priority.
Makarius Demian told us the focus is simply on two teams trying to advance. He said he supports LGBTQ rights, but whether it’s a Pride Match or not isn’t the main issue.
Close to the big screen, a pop-up Egyptian eatery was gearing up for kickoff, ready to serve fans craving a taste of home. On the menu was koshari, a beloved staple made of lentils, chickpeas, pasta, fried onions, and a garlicky tomato sauce.
Owners Ayman Almasri and Amani Abouammo closed their restaurant, Koshari, for the duration of the World Cup to run this pop-up at the fan zone, serving the vegan Egyptian street classic.
They said scheduling Egypt and Iran in a Pride fixture felt uncomfortable and reflected cultural misunderstandings.
“Here, that’s part of the culture—people are used to it,” Abouammo said. “Back home, they aren’t. Each side struggles to understand the other.”
On the field, there’s plenty at stake. Egypt arrive in form after beating New Zealand and have a genuine chance to win Group G.
Iran, meanwhile, come in under different circumstances—their tournament shaped by politics, travel hurdles, and complaints about preparation time, even if they reached the host city earlier than in previous matches.
As both teams push toward the knockout rounds, this game is about more than the football.
It also illustrates what happens when a World Cup lands in a city celebrating one set of values while teams arrive carrying very different ones.