My partner Justin Fashanu was the first out gay footballer – Fifa is now making a mockery of his legacy

By the Editorial Team · Monday, July 6, 2026

The 2026 FIFA World Cup includes 11 countries where same-sex relationships are criminalized, raising concerns about discrimination against LGBTQ+ players and the absence of openly gay participants. Activists have urged FIFA to ensure that sexual orientation does not affect team selection, highlighting the tension between the tournament’s inclusivity goals and the human rights policies of these nations.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, currently underway, features 32 national teams competing on one of the world's largest sporting stages. However, a significant issue has been raised regarding the participation of 11 countries whose laws criminalize same-sex relationships, creating an environment hostile to LGBTQ+ individuals.

These 11 nations—Egypt, Iran, Algeria, Ghana, Iraq, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Tunisia, and Uzbekistan—enforce legal penalties ranging from imprisonment to, in some cases, capital punishment for consensual same-sex conduct. Activists argue that these laws foster a culture of discrimination and fear that forces LGBTQ+ people within these countries, including athletes, to conceal their identities for their safety. Despite this, FIFA has not imposed any sanctions or taken apparent measures to address potential discrimination within the teams selected by these associations.

Peter Tatchell, a longtime LGBTQ+ campaigner, has highlighted this concern by calling attention to the absence of openly gay players in the tournament. While statistics suggest that approximately five to ten percent of the general population identifies as gay or bisexual, no players in the World Cup are publicly out. Tatchell underscored the possibility that players may have been excluded from national teams due to their sexual orientation, though FIFA has not provided evidence of any investigation into discriminatory selection practices.

Tatchell also referenced the legacy of Justin Fashanu, the first professional footballer to come out as gay in 1990. Fashanu’s career was marked by hostility and abuse, culminating in his suicide in 1998. Tatchell used this history to emphasize the need for football’s governing bodies to foster an environment in which gay players can openly participate without fear of reprisal.

The activist has called on FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request formal assurances from the 11 participating countries’ football associations that sexual orientation will not influence player selection and that gay players who meet performance criteria would be eligible to represent their nations. Without such guarantees, critics argue, the governing body risks contradicting its stated commitments to equality, inclusion, and human rights.

This issue raises broader questions about the intersection of sport, politics, and human rights on the world stage, particularly as the World Cup is celebrated for uniting diverse populations and promoting merit-based competition. For now, the ongoing tournament proceeds amid continued scrutiny over how FIFA and participating nations address the rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ athletes.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.