rights
The Pride flag has always had a place at the World Cup whether FIFA wants it to or not
By Lindsay Eanet at LGBTQ Nation
· June 24, 2026
· 14 min read
As they were welcomed into their local soccer community with a colorful cascade of Pride flags – a visible rainbow in the supporters section of Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders – Dana Reinhart knew they had found a home. “It was a symbol to me as a queer person that people are willing to be lo
Key takeaway “It was a symbol to me as a queer person that people are willing to be loud and present in support of me,” Reinhart told LGBTQ Nation.
Why this matters
The presence of Pride flags at the World Cup, whether officially sanctioned by FIFA or not, highlights the tension between the international soccer community's desire for inclusivity and the varying levels of acceptance across different countries and cultures. As the US prepares to host the World Cup, cities like Seattle are taking matters into their own hands, organizing independent Pride events and matches that showcase the LGBTQ+ community's presence in soccer. The involvement of local LGBTQ+ groups, businesses, and artists in Seattle's World Cup Pride match demonstrates the community's determination to be visible and heard, even if it means operating outside of official FIFA channels. This phenomenon is reflective of the broader landscape of LGBTQ+ rights in the US, where legal protections and policies vary significantly by state, and national resources like the Trevor Project and the National LGBTQ Task Force play a critical role in supporting marginalized communities.
About this story
Original reporting by LGBTQ Nation . LGBTQ News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit LGBTQ Nation . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: rights ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: LGBTQ Nation ·
Reading time: 14 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? As they were welcomed into their local soccer community with a colorful cascade of Pride flags – a visible rainbow in the supporters section of Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders – Dana Reinhart knew they had found a home. “It was a symbol to me as a queer person that people are willing to be lo
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by LGBTQ Nation and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Lindsay Eanet at LGBTQ Nation. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .