Iran Could Boycott 2026 World Cup Draw in the United States Over Visas
Iran plans to skip the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington, DC, due to visa limits for its delegation, including federation head Mehdi Taj, with FIFA awaiting comment.
Iran is considering skipping Friday's 2026 World Cup draw in Washington, DC, over visa problems for its football delegation. The head of Iran's football federation, Mehdi Taj, says only a handful of visas have been granted, with no visa yet issued for him personally.
What happened
Reports indicate the United States has issued four visas to Iranian officials, but none for Taj. This has raised concerns about attendance at the draw in the U.S. capital.
What Taj said
Taj told state television that he spoke with FIFA president Gianni Infantino about the issue and that Iran is evaluating its options based on timing and circumstances.
He added that the Iranian foreign ministry and other authorities are kept informed, and a decision will be made at the appropriate time.
Attendance and visa stance
The Iran Football Federation’s executive committee has stated that no one will attend the event unless all visas are issued to its delegation.
The draw is scheduled for Friday, December 5 in Washington, with a start time of 17:00 GMT (12:00 local time).
INLIBER Sport has reached out to FIFA for comment.
Context
Iran has qualified for its seventh World Cup finals and its fourth straight appearance. The United States is co-hosting the 2026 tournament with Canada and Mexico, and Iranians face long-standing visa restrictions for political and security reasons.
U.S. visa policy toward Iranians has been strict for many years, and a 2017 executive order restricted entry for citizens of several countries. Exemptions can apply for major sports events, but the policy has been seen as politicized in some cases.
Expert comment
Expert opinion: Visa rules can turn sports events into political leverage, complicating participation for teams from restricted countries. FIFA may face pressure to address governance and fairness concerns.
Summary
Iran may skip the draw if not all visas are granted. The situation underscores how visa politics can affect world sports, even as the competition schedule moves forward. The draw proceeds as planned, and FIFA awaits further comment.
Key insight: Visa hurdles risk sidelining teams at global events, highlighting the need for clear, fair policies that keep sport separate from politics. Source: BBC Sport