Iran's football federation has announced it will boycott the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw in Washington on December 5 due to the United States denying visas to several delegation members. The decision stems from political tensions and strict US travel restrictions under the Trump administration. Federation president Mehdi Taj has urged FIFA to intervene, calling the visa rejections unsportsmanlike.
The Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) confirmed on November 28, 2025, that its delegation will not attend the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup group draw in Washington, D.C. The boycott follows the US government's refusal to grant visas to key members, including FFIRI president Mehdi Taj and vice president Mehdi Nabi. While four individuals—head coach Amir Ghalenoei, executive director Mehdi Kharati, international relations director Omid Jamali, and spokesperson Amir Mehdi Alavi—received visas, the federation deemed the partial approvals insufficient and politically motivated.
"We have informed FIFA that the decisions taken have nothing to do with sports, and the members of the Iranian delegation will not participate in the World Cup draw," FFIRI spokesperson Amir Mehdi Alavi told state television and Iranian outlet Tarafdari. Alavi emphasized that the federation had consulted with Iran's Ministry of Sports and Youth and Ministry of Foreign Affairs before deciding. He also noted ongoing correspondence with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Secretary General Mattias Grafström, who promised to address the issue seriously.
Mehdi Taj criticized the US stance directly: "We have told the head of FIFA, Mr. Infantino, that it is purely a political position and that FIFA must tell them [the US] to desist from this behaviour." The dispute highlights longstanding tensions between Iran and the US, which have lacked diplomatic ties for over 45 years. It echoes past encounters, including Iran's 2-1 victory over the US in the 1998 World Cup group stage and a 1-0 loss in 2022.
Iran qualified for the 2026 tournament in March 2025 with a win over Pakistan, securing their fourth consecutive appearance and seventh overall. They have never advanced beyond the group stage. The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 18, now faces potential broader complications, as similar visa restrictions affect other qualifiers like Haiti. FIFA has introduced the 'FIFA Pass' for priority visa processing for ticket holders, but no guarantees exist for delegations.