Iran boycotts 2026 FIFA World Cup draw ceremony over US visa denial
Iran’s football federation (FFIRI) says it will boycott next week’s 2026 World Cup draw in Washington after the United States refused to issue visas for several members of its delegation.
FFIRI spokesperson Amir Mehdi Alavi said on Friday the decision followed internal discussions and consultations with the Ministry of Sports and Youth and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“This decision was taken after several members of the delegation were denied visas. The matter completely defies logic and has nothing to do with sports,” he added.
The federation has formally raised the matter with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Secretary General Mattias Grafström in recent days, he said, adding that FIFA has promised to look into the case.
He warned that Washington’s move could have wider implications for Iran’s national team — also known as Team Melli — saying future travel by Iranian players and staff to the United States during the tournament could be affected.
“Such an approach could directly affect Team Melli’s preparations and performance throughout the tournament,” the FFIRI spokesman pointed out.
The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place on December 5 in Washington, DC.
Alavi described the US visa row as “unprecedented” in Iranian football history, emphasizing that Team Melli members or FFIRI executive staff have never been denied visas, and have attended the competitions on a regular basis.
🇮🇷⚽ Iranian Football Federation reacts strongly to delays in US visa issuance for its delegation to the FIFA World Cup draw.
— Press TV Sports (@presstvsports) November 25, 2025
A spokesperson warned that if such unethical behavior continues, Iran will be forced to skip the event.@presstvsports pic.twitter.com/oDOHmjSLj3
According to the Tehran Times daily newspaper, the United States has issued visas only for four members of the FFIRI delegation — Amir Ghalenoei (head coach), Mehdi Kharati (executive director), Omid Jamali (director of international relations), and Amir Mehdi Alavi (spokesperson).
Visa requests for several others were denied, including FFIRI President Mehdi Taj and Vice President Mehdi Nabi.
On Thursday, Taj denounced the decision as being a political one.
“We have told the head of FIFA, Mr [Gianni] Infantino, that it is purely a political position and that FIFA must tell them [US] to desist from this behavior,” the FFIRI president added.
Team Melli qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in March, guaranteeing a fourth successive appearance and seventh in all. It has yet to progress to the knockout stage.
Iran beat the United States 2–1 in their group match at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, a historic victory that was celebrated across Iran.
More than two decades later, the two sides met again at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. This time, the United States edged past Iran 1–0 in a tightly contested match that ended Iran’s hopes of advancing to the knockout stage.
The US is co-hosting the World Cup with Canada and Mexico.
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