Iran to boycott 2026 World Cup draw over US visa dispute

Iran to Skip 2026 World Cup Draw Due to Visa Dispute

The Iranian Football Federation announced that Iran will boycott next week's 2026 FIFA World Cup draw in Washington, D.C., following the United States’ refusal to issue visas for several members of its delegation. According to local media, this decision came after repeated attempts by Iranian officials to resolve the issue through diplomatic channels.

Visa Refusal Sparks Political Tension

Iran’s delegation was expected to attend the event as part of preparations for the global tournament jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. However, several officials were denied entry visas, prompting Iran to protest the move.
The federation stated that participation was “impossible under these conditions” and framed the situation as a political interference in a sporting matter.

“We regret that sport has once again become subject to political manipulation,” the federation said in a statement.

FIFA’s Response

FIFA has not yet commented on the boycott but maintains that host nations are responsible for facilitating access for all participating member associations. Previous World Cup events have also faced similar disputes involving travel restrictions or diplomatic disagreements.

Broader Implications

Analysts note that this incident could further strain the already tense relations between Tehran and Washington, especially in the context of international sporting events and global diplomacy.

Author’s summary: Iran will skip the 2026 World Cup draw after the US denied visas to its delegates, escalating political friction between the two nations ahead of the tournament.

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AFP on MSN AFP on MSN — 2025-11-28

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