Iran's Football Federation has announced it will skip the final draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after the United States denied visas to several key delegation members. The decision, described as stemming from non-sporting issues, follows a travel ban imposed by President Donald Trump's administration. The draw is scheduled for December 5, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Iran's decision to boycott the 2026 FIFA World Cup final draw comes amid ongoing tensions with the United States over visa restrictions. According to state-run IRNA news agency, the Iranian Football Federation informed FIFA that visa problems for its delegation go beyond sports considerations. Federation spokesman Amir-Mahdi Alavi stated that officials faced denials after consultations with Iran's Ministry of Sports and Youth and Foreign Ministry, condemning the U.S. actions as "non-sporting" and discriminatory.
The delegation was expected to be led by federation president Mehdi Taj, a vice president of the Asian Football Confederation and member of FIFA committees overseeing competitions and men's national team soccer. Reports indicate that visas were denied to several senior officials, including Taj, while four members, among them men's national team head coach Amir Ghalenoei, received approval. Alavi noted that the federation reached out to FIFA, including President Gianni Infantino, and expressed optimism for resolution, with FIFA promising to address the matter urgently.
This boycott is linked to a June 2025 executive order by President Trump imposing travel restrictions on citizens from 12 countries, including Iran. The order includes exemptions for athletes, coaches, and support staff traveling for major events like the World Cup, but it remains unclear if these apply to the draw ceremony at the Kennedy Center. FIFA has not immediately responded to requests for comment, though Infantino recently stated that the U.S. government assured access for international visitors to the tournament.
The 2026 World Cup, expanded to 48 teams and co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, marks Iran's seventh appearance and fourth consecutive qualification. The draw will assign the 48 nations into 12 groups of four, with the top two teams per group and eight best third-placers advancing to the knockout stage. The ceremony will proceed as scheduled despite Iran's absence, as organizers prepare for the largest edition of the tournament to date.