Iran boycotts 2026 World Cup draw over U.S. visa restrictions
Iran has announced that it will boycott the draw ceremony for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to take place on December 5 in Washington, after several members of its delegation were denied U.S. visas. The decision was confirmed on Friday by the Iranian Football Federation, which denounced what it described as a move unrelated to sports.
Speaking on state television, the federation’s spokesperson said that Iranian officials had informed FIFA that the delegation would not travel to the United States under these circumstances. Local media reported earlier that the U.S. authorities had refused to grant a visa to the president of the Iranian federation, among others.
The diplomatic dispute casts a shadow over the preparations for the global tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. While FIFA has not yet commented publicly, the boycott marks a rare instance in which political tensions directly impact participation in the World Cup’s organizational process.
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