Iran will boycott the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington D.C. due to U.S. visa issues for their delegation, despite FIFA’s prior assurances.
According to a report from Sports Illustrated, Iran’s soccer federation will not be sending a delegation to the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington, D.C., next Friday, in protest against the U.S. visa regulations.
The federation accuses FIFA President Gianni Infantino of failing to deliver on a promise to ensure the full attendance of its traveling party.
Iran, slated to be in Pot 2, confirmed the boycott after entry was not secured for all delegates.
Spokesperson Amir Mehdi Alavi stated, “Considering that the decisions taken are unsportsmanlike and the path has deviated from the sporting process, it was decided that the Iranian delegation will not be present at the draw ceremony.”
Alavi elaborated on the assurance made by the FIFA president:
“The last time the FIFA president was present in the national team’s dressing room was the 2025 AFC final against Uzbekistan, when he announced to the Iranian players that the Iranian convoy’s presence would be guaranteed from the beginning of the draw ceremony until the last day of the national team’s participation in the World Cup, including workshops.”
The lack of guaranteed visas specifically affected the security and executive directors, who must attend mandatory workshops.
Mehdi Taj, president of Iran’s soccer federation, intensified the pressure on Infantino, saying, “We have told the head of FIFA, Mr. Infantino, that it is purely a political position and that FIFA must tell them [the U.S.] to desist from this behaviour.”