From Pride to prison: Ranking all 48 World Cup countries on LGBTQ rights
The 48 World Cup countries vary widely in their acceptance of LGBTQ people. More than half allow same-sex marriage, nearly a third are dangerous for gay people.
Mark
On June 22 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Norway will play Senegal in World Cup group play. The match will pit the country ranked No. 2 in the world for gay rights against one ranked No. 192, a place where same-sex activity can land you in prison for 10 years.
A similar dynamic will occur June 15 in Los Angeles, when New Zealand (No. 6 best for LGBTQ equality) plays Iran (No. 191), a nation where LGBTQ people face capital punishment.
Welcome to the 2026 World Cup, which features 48 countries from every continent save for Antarctica, making it a true global reflection, including support for LGBTQ rights.
Some of the 48 World Cup countries are very gay-friendly, with robust laws and protections, while some are in-between. And nearly a third are downright hostile, with LGBTQ protections nonexistent and punishment for same-sex behavior a prison sentence (or worse).
The website Equaldex is a valuable resource for a country-by-country look at the state of LGBTQ equality.
Get off the sidelines and into the game
Our weekly playbook is packed with everything from locker room chatter to pressing LGBTQ sports issues.
Subscribe to our Newsletter today
It uses a 100-point scale to rank countries on the laws surrounding whether homosexuality is legal, and laws on same-sex marriage, censorship, changing gender, gender-affirming care, employment and housing discrimination, adoption, serving in the military and conversion therapy. It also parses public opinion on LGBTQ issues.
Using the site’s 100-point scale, World Cup countries Norway, Uruguay, Spain and New Zealand all rank in the top six in the world. Iceland (1st) and Denmark (5th) did not qualify.
At the opposite end, Iran (ranked 191) and Senegal (192) are among the seven least LGBTQ-accepting countries in the world. Overall, there isn’t much difference in countries ranked 10-20 points from each other.
We broke down the 48 countries into three groups, using Equaldex rankings. Human Rights Watch has similar rankings if you want to dive deeper. We have a group-by-group breakdown below, with the ranking for all 48 countries.
Related
Meet the Outsports Soccer Power 26: Out LGBTQ people making a difference in men’s soccer
With the men’s World Cup starting today, Outsports is pleased to announce our Soccer Power 26, highlighting 26 of the most influential out LGBTQ people in men’s soccer. This list includes players and coaches, referees, leaders of fan groups, media members and executives. Our goal is to highlight out people in men’s soccer at all […]8 World Cup stars who stand up for gay players and LGBTQ rights
Although there are no out gay footballers at World Cup 2026, these 8 players from tournament squads are on the record as LGBTQ advocates.
We love the gays (27 countries)
In these countries, LGBTQ rights are generally robust, with variations depending on the category. In the U.S., for example, a push against trans rights has been acute at the federal level and in many states, pushing its ranking down.
Norway (ranked 2 on Equaldex equality index), Uruguay (3), Spain (4), New Zealand (6), Germany (9), Canada (11), Australia (12), Belgium (13), Portugal (14), Netherlands (17), Sweden (18), Brazil (19), France (20), Argentina (21), Austria (22), Czechia (23), Colombia (24), Mexico (25), Switzerland (26), UK (31, Scotland and England), USA (32), Cape Verde (33), South Africa (35), Ecuador (39), Croatia (48) and Curacao (not ranked, but same-sex marriage legal and subject to Dutch law). Note: Same-sex marriage is banned in Cape Verde but LGBTQ rights are otherwise respected and the island nation is considered an “LGBTQ oasis” in Africa.
Don’t ask, don‘t tell (6 countries)
This list reflects six countries that are ambivalent about LGBTQ rights, where homosexuality is legal but same-sex marriage is banned, or in Asian countries where there are still social stigmas.
Japan (ranked 57), Bosnia and Herzegovina (66), South Korea (81), Panama (96), Paraguay (106), Turkey (113).
We hate the gays (15 countries)
These 15 countries are simply awful for LGBTQ rights, where it can be dangerous to show same-sex affection. This guide is another resource for LGBTQ travelers, especially places to avoid.
Haiti (ranked 124), Ivory Coast (128), Congo DR (144), Uzbekistan (146), Ghana (157), Tunisia (160), Saudi Arabia (165), Algeria (166), Morocco (167), Iraq (168), Jordan (173) Egypt (176), Qatar (184), Iran (191), Senegal (192 out of 197 countries).
RANKINGS BY GROUP
Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czechia
Mexico (Equaldex score and rank): 71 out of 100. Ranked 25th worldwide. Same-sex marriage legal.
South Africa: 67 out of 100. Ranked 35. Same-sex marriage legal.
South Korea: 46 out of 100. Ranked 81. Same-sex marriage in South Korea is unregistered cohabitation.
Czechia: 72 out of 100. Ranked 23. Same-sex marriage in Czechia is civil unions (marriage rights).
Related
As Mexico starts World Cup play, will anti-gay chant from fans follow?
Many Mexico fans fear “el grito” — the notorious homophobic chant — will be heard at the World Cup. Mexican soccer journalist and LGBTQ activist Marion Reimers says it can never be justified.
Group B: Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland
Canada: 78 out of 100. Ranked 3. Same-sex marriage legal.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: 59 out of 100. No ranking listed. Same-sex marriage in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is banned.
Qatar: 8 out of 100. Ranked 184. Homosexuality is illegal and the punishment is imprisonment. From Equaldex: “LGBTQ+ individuals face harassment, discrimination, and violence in Qatar, and are not allowed to engage in same-sex sexual activity.”
Switzerland: 70 out of 100. Ranked 26. Same-sex marriage legal.
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Brazil: 75 out of 100. Ranked 19. Same-sex marriage legal.
Morocco: 13 out of 100. Ranked 167. Same-sex behavior is punished by imprisonment of between six months and three years, and a fine.
Haiti: 28 out 100. Ranked 124. Same sex marriage is not legal.
Scotland (part of the UK). 68 out of 100. Ranked 31. Same-sex marriage legal.
Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey
USA: 68 out of 100. Ranked 32. Same-sex marriage legal.
Paraguay: 34 out of 100. Ranked 106. Same-sex marriage is banned.
Australia: 78 out of 100. Ranked 12. Same-sex marriage is legal.
Turkey: 32 out of 100. Ranked 113. Same-sex marriage is banned.
Related
‘The Hammer’ played in the World Cup, came out as gay, and still fights for visibility in soccer
As a World Cup player, CEO and now a TV pundit, Thomas Hitzlsperger’s influence ensures his place on the Outsports Soccer Power 26 list. He tells us why being an out gay man in the sport matters.
Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Germany: 80 out of 100. Ranked 9. Same-sex marriage is legal.
Curacao: 74 out of 100. No rank listed. Same-sex marriage is legal. Curacao is a constituent island country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Ivory Coast: 23 out of 100. Ranked 128. Same-sex marriage is banned.
Ecuador: 65 out of 100. Ranked 39. Same-sex marriage is legal.
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
Netherlands: 76 out of 100. Ranked 17. Same-sex marriage is legal.
Japan: 53 out of 100. Ranked 57. Same-sex marriage in Japan is unregistered cohabitation.
Sweden: 75 out of 100. Ranked 18. Same-sex marriage is legal.
Tunisia: 14 out of 100. Ranked 160. Homosexuality is punished with imprisonment for three years.
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Belgium: 78 out of 100. Ranked 13. Same-sex marriage is legal.
Egypt: 10 out of 100. Ranked 176. Homosexual activity in Egypt is illegal with prison terms of three months to 10 years.
Iran: 5 out of 100. Ranked 191. From Equaldex: The punishment for homosexuality is currently death for men. For women, the punishment is up to 100 lashes. Women with a certain number of repeat offenses can become subject to the death penalty as well.
New Zealand: 81 out of 100. Ranked 6. Same-sex marriage is legal.
Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Spain: 83 out of 100. Ranked 4. Same-sex marriage is legal.
Cape Verde: 68 out of 100. Ranked 33. Homosexuality is legal but same-sex marriage is banned.
Saudi Arabia: 13 out of 100. Ranked 165. From Equaldex: The full extent of Saudi Arabian law is unclear as a result but it is commonly interpreted to punish homosexuality with death as a result of all sexual activity outside of marriage being punishable by death and the lack of recognition of same-sex marriage.
Uruguay: 87 out of 100. Ranked 3. Same-sex marriage is legal.
Group I: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway
France: 74 out of 100. Ranked 20. Same-sex marriage is legal.
Senegal: 4 out of 100. Ranked 192. Homosexuality is illegal with prison terms up to 10 years.
Iraq: 13 out of 100. Ranked 168. In 2024, Iraq’s parliament passed a law that criminalizes same-sex relationships with a maximum 15-year prison sentence.
Norway: 88 out of 100. Ranked 2. Norway gets the highest LGBTQ equality score out of the 48 World Cup teams (Iceland is No. 1 overall in the world).
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Argentina: 74 out of 100. Ranked 21. Same-sex marriage is legal.
Algeria: 13 out of 100. Ranked 166. Same-sex activity is illegal with prison terms of two months to two years.
Austria: 73 out of 100. Ranked 22. Same-sex marriage is legal.
Jordan: 17 out of 100. Ranked 173. From Equadex: Homosexual activity has been legal in Jordan since 1951, however, the Penal Code includes vague provisions around “morality” and “indecent acts” that could be used to target LGBTQ+ people.
Group K: Portugal, Congo DR, Uzbekistan, Colombia
Portugal: 77 out of 100. Ranked 14. Same-sex marriage is legal.
Congo DR: 21 out of 100. Ranked 144. Same-sex marriage is illegal.
Uzbekistan: 20 out of 100. Ranked 146. From Equadex: Article 120 of the penal code states male homosexuality is punishable by 3 years in prison. Female homosexuality is not illegal, but lesbians still face heavy social persecution.
Colombia: 71 out of 100. Ranked 24. Same-sex marriage is legal.
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
England (part of the UK): 80 of 100. UK ranked 31; England highest ranked in UK. Same-sex marriage is legal.
Croatia: 57 out of 100. Ranked 48. Civil unions have same rights as marriage.
Ghana: 15 out of 100. Ranked 157. Homosexual activity in Ghana is male illegal (up to three years in prison), female legal.
Panama: 39 out 100. Ranked 96. Homosexuality is legal, same-sex marriage is banned.
Subscribe to the Outsports newsletter to keep up with your favorite out athletes, inspiring LGBTQ sports stories, and more.
