Iran Withdraws from World Cup Draw Following Visa Dispute with United States
The Iranian football federation announced on Friday, November 28, 2025, that it will boycott the upcoming 2026 World Cup finals draw in Washington, D.C. This decision comes after the United States refused to grant visas to several members of the Iranian delegation, including federation president Mehdi Taj.
Political Tensions Spill into Sports
According to the federation's spokesperson speaking on state television, FIFA has been formally notified that Iran will not participate in the December 5 draw. The spokesperson stated that "the decisions taken have nothing to do with sports", framing the visa denials as a political maneuver. Mehdi Taj had previously denounced the US action on Thursday, calling it "purely a political position" and urging FIFA President Gianni Infantino to intervene.
The Iranian sports website Varzesh 3 first reported the visa issues on Tuesday, noting that while coach Amir Ghalenoei and three other delegation members received visas, several key figures were denied entry. This incident highlights the longstanding diplomatic friction between the United States and Iran, which has persisted for over four decades.
Background of US-Iran Relations and World Cup Hosting
The United States is co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico. This visa dispute occurs against a complex geopolitical backdrop. Earlier in the year, high-level nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington had commenced in April. However, these negotiations collapsed in mid-June following an unprecedented bombing campaign by Israel against Iran, which briefly drew in the United States with strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Despite the current diplomatic impasse, the Iranian national team had successfully qualified for the 2026 tournament after a decisive victory against Uzbekistan in Tehran on March 25, 2025. The boycott of the draw ceremony now casts a shadow over their participation preparations and underscores how international politics can directly impact global sporting events.
