By: Mohamed El-Shahat Salama
As the world turns its eyes toward the 2026 World Cup, and as the cries of football rise to become a language that unites nations and bridges distances, we are witnessing persistent attempts by some to impose external "cultural agendas" that have no connection to the spirit of sportsmanship or the values upon which football is founded.
The match that brings together the national teams of Egypt and Iran is not merely a transient sporting event, but a meeting between two ancient civilizations that hold fast to their values and traditions. From this standpoint comes the firm stance rejecting attempts to exploit this sporting arena to promote celebrations that contradict our religious and societal identity, specifically what is known as "LGBTQ+ celebrations."
We send a direct message to the President of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), Mr. Gianni Infantino: Football was created to be a venue for athletic creativity, not a platform for imposing ideologies rejected by the vast majority of the world’s peoples. If there is an insistence by some parties to proceed with these agendas, let it be within the scope of matches involving European teams or those of the United States of America, where such orientations may intersect with their cultural and social environments.
As for our stadiums, and matters concerning the matches of our Arab and Islamic teams, they are fortified by the consciousness of our people, who refuse to allow their passion for the "beautiful game" to be turned into a field for passing messages that do not align with our values. We emphasize that we respect sports, and we respect fair competition, but before that, we respect the identity we cherish and we refuse to compromise its sanctity.
The World Cup must remain a celebration of global sports, not a "cultural war" imposed upon us under the guise of "freedoms." Let everyone respect the specificity of nations, and let the stadiums be a place for elevating physical and skill-based performance, far from any calculations or practices that incite division.
Our call today is not one of exclusion, but of "respect." Respect our minds, respect our values, and let the ball roll in peace.
Mohamed El-Shahat Salama
Media Editor and Journalist
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