Iran to Boycott 2026 World Cup Draw as US Denies Visas for Officials

Iran has announced it will skip next week’s 2026 World Cup draw in Washington D.C. after members of its delegation were reportedly denied U.S. visas.

According to the Associated Press, Iran’s state news agency confirmed the boycott of the 5 December event at the Kennedy Center, citing the US government’s refusal to grant entry to key football officials. 

Federation spokesperson Amir-Mahdi Alavi said the organisation had contacted FIFA seeking help.

The visa issue follows months of concern that President Donald Trump’s expanded travel bans could affect major international sporting events, including the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. 

In June, the administration blocked entry for citizens of 12 countries, Iran among them, and imposed partial restrictions on seven others.

Haiti, also subject to the full ban, has similarly qualified for the World Cup.

The June order does contain an exemption for “any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches, essential support staff and immediate family, travelling for the World Cup, Olympics or other major sporting event” as designated by the U.S. Secretary of State.

This raises the question of whether the draw itself falls under that exemption or if it applies only to the tournament proper — a decision ultimately in the hands of Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

There have been precedents involving lower-profile events. Earlier this year, a Venezuelan youth baseball team, from one of the partially restricted countries, was blocked from entering the U.S. for a tournament and replaced by a Mexican team. 

A Cuban volleyball team faced a similar situation.

Unless further action is taken, Iran remains set to appear in its seventh World Cup and fourth in a row after qualifying in March. 

The AP also notes that federation president Mehdi Taj is one of the most senior administrators in Asian football and sits on two FIFA committees overseeing the World Cup.

The 2026 tournament is scheduled to begin on 11 June, with matches taking place across the United States, Canada and Mexico.