The match between Egypt and Iran in the 2026 FIFA World Cup has not started yet, but it has already attracted attention outside the pitch. The Iranian Football Federation has submitted an official request to FIFA, asking for permission for Iran’s players to wear black armbands during their match against Egypt in the group stage.

Iran’s Request Because of Ashura

The Egypt vs Iran match is scheduled to take place on June 27, 2026, in the third round of Group Seven at the World Cup. The game is not only important from a football point of view, but it also comes on a special day for Iran, as it coincides with Ashura.

For that reason, the Iranian federation asked FIFA to allow its players to wear black armbands as a sign of sadness and respect on this occasion.

Group Seven includes Egypt, Iran, Belgium, and New Zealand, which makes the Egypt vs Iran match an important game at the end of the group stage. The result could have a big effect on both teams’ chances of qualifying for the next round, depending on their results in the first two matches.

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No team can add anything to its official kit during World Cup matches without FIFA’s approval. Because of that, Iran is now waiting for FIFA’s response to the request. Reports suggest there may be a chance that FIFA accepts it because the request is connected to a religious occasion.

FIFA Faces Similar Requests

Iran is not the only team to make this kind of request. Reports also said that Iraq asked FIFA to allow its players to wear black armbands or black shirts during their match against Senegal on the same day, also because of Ashura.

This means FIFA may have to deal with more than one request linked to the same occasion during the 2026 World Cup.

Away from the symbolic side, the Egypt vs Iran match remains a strong football contest. Egypt will be looking to make a good appearance and compete strongly in the group, while Iran enters the tournament with clear ambition, based on its previous World Cup experience and its desire to achieve better results.

Between the importance of the match on the pitch and the symbolic message Iran wants to show, the Egypt vs Iran game is expected to be one of the special matches of the 2026 World Cup, while everyone waits for FIFA’s final decision on the black armbands.