Iran boycotts 2026 World Cup draw after US denies visas to delegation
Amir added that the decision followed what Iran described as "unsportsmanlike actions" by US authorities relating to the December 5 draw in Washington, DC.
Iran has announced it will boycott next week’s 2026 FIFA World Cup draw in Washington, DC, after the United States declined to issue visas to several members of its official delegation, including Iranian Football Federation President Mehdi Taj.
The decision was confirmed on Friday by the federation, which said it had notified FIFA of its withdrawal and condemned the visa restrictions as politically motivated and contrary to the spirit of sport.
More To Read
- Ramaphosa hits back after Trump says South Africa won’t be invited to 2026 G20 summit
- US launches FIFA PASS to expedite World Cup 2026 visa interviews
- It's Trump vs. the press, again, with new threat to BBC
- Africa’s rapid drone expansion promises high-tech warfare but struggles to achieve strategic results
- Ethiopian Airlines says Africa–US flights unaffected by Federal Aviation directive
- Sudan's paramilitary forces agree to proposal of humanitarian truce
"The Iranian delegation will not be present for the World Cup draw in relation to the latest status of issuing visas for the Iranian delegation to attend the draw ceremony," federation spokesman Amir Mehdi Alavi was quoted as saying by Iranian sports news website Tarafdari.
Amir added that the decision followed what Iran described as "unsportsmanlike actions" by US authorities relating to the December 5 draw in Washington, DC.
Reports earlier in the week from Iranian outlet Varzesh 3 indicated that US authorities had denied visas to several senior officials, among them Mehdi.
Although the United States approved visas for four members of the delegation, including national team head coach Amir Ghalenoei, the federation said the selective approvals amounted to unfair treatment.
Mehdi publicly criticised the US decision on Thursday, calling it political interference in sport. He said FIFA had been asked to intervene, arguing that the refusal undermined the neutrality expected in international football.
"We have told the head of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, that it is purely a political position and that FIFA must tell them (the US) to desist from this behaviour," he said.
According to Tarafdari, Iran has been in communication with FIFA leadership for two days and has received assurances that the governing body will follow up on the matter seriously.
"FIFA has said it will follow up on the matter seriously," Amir said.
Iran secured qualification for the World Cup in March after a 2-2 draw with Uzbekistan in Tehran, sealing a seventh appearance at the tournament and fourth in a row.
Top Stories Today
