2026 World Cup Draw: U.S. denies entry to Iranian delegation

The United States has denied entry visas to key Iranian football officials to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw on December 5 in Washington, D.C., according to the Iranian Football Federation (FFI).

Among those barred are federation president Mehdi Taj, national team coach Amir Ghalenoei, and seven other officials, FFI spokesman Amir-Mehdi Alavi confirmed.

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The draw is scheduled to take place at the Kennedy Centre, with representatives from all 48 qualified and participating nations expected to attend.

Iran’s federation has said it will petition FIFA president Gianni Infantino to intervene and overturn the decision before the ceremony.

The visa denial has raised renewed concerns about U.S. immigration restrictions on Iranians, which date back to measures introduced under former President Donald Trump.

The restrictions have fueled speculation that the participation of Iran’s national team in the 2026 World Cup, jointly hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, could face hurdles.

Sports analysts suggest that while players and coaching staff may not face major issues, federation officials, journalists, and fans could encounter significant challenges travelling to matches in the U.S.

In response, the FFI has expressed hope that Iran’s games will be staged in Canada or Mexico rather than on American soil.

Iran and the U.S. have not had diplomatic relations for over 45 years, and political tensions continue to overshadow sporting ties.