Iran to Boycott 2026 World Cup Draw

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Iran has announced its intention to skip the World Cup draw set to take place in Washington next week. This decision follows the U.S. government’s refusal to grant visas to the Iranian delegation, as reported by the state news agency IRNA.

The agency quoted Amir Mahdi Alavi, spokesperson for the Iranian Football Federation, who mentioned that the challenges related to visa issuance extend beyond mere sporting issues.

So far, there hasn’t been any official response from the White House.

Alavi added that the federation is in communication with FIFA, seeking their assistance in this matter. However, FIFA has not yet provided a comment on the situation.

The travel difficulties stem from a travel ban implemented by the Trump administration in June, affecting citizens from 12 countries, including Iran. Interestingly, Haiti, which also recently qualified for the World Cup, is on that list too.

While there were promises of exemptions for athletes and team members—such as coaches and those providing essential support—traveling for major sports events like the World Cup, it remains ambiguous whether these exemptions will apply to the upcoming draw, scheduled for December 5 at the Kennedy Center.

The Iranian delegation was expected to be led by Mehdi Taj, the President of the Football Federation. Taj holds a significant position in Asian football as one of the vice-presidents of the Asian Football Confederation and a member of FIFA committees focusing on competitions and men’s national teams.

This World Cup will mark a historic occasion, featuring a record 48 teams. It’s set to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.