Iran has made the decision to abstain from participating in the 2026 World Cup draw set to take place in Washington next week due to visa denials for its delegation members by the U.S., as reported by the state-run IRNA news agency on Friday. According to Iranian soccer federation spokesman Amir-Mahdi Alavi, the officials encountered visa challenges that extend beyond just sporting matters.
The federation has sought assistance from FIFA in hopes of resolving the visa issue, with no immediate response from the White House on the matter. President Donald Trump’s administration enforced a travel ban in June on citizens from 12 countries, including Iran, and also included Haiti, a recent qualifier for the World Cup.
While exemptions were assured for athletes, coaches, support staff, and immediate relatives traveling for major sporting events like the World Cup, it remains uncertain if these exemptions apply to the World Cup draw scheduled for December 5 at the Kennedy Center.
The Iranian delegation, led by soccer federation president Mehdi Taj, a prominent figure in Asian soccer and a member of key FIFA committees overseeing the World Cup, would have been expected at the event. Taj serves as a vice president of the Asian Football Confederation and holds roles on FIFA panels related to competitions and men’s national team soccer.
The 2026 World Cup, jointly hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, will see a record 48 teams competing from June 11 to July 19.
