Iran to skip 2026 World Cup draw over US visa dispute

The Iranian football federation revealed on Friday that Iran will abstain from the upcoming World Cup finals draw in Washington, as the United States denied visas to numerous delegation members.

"We notified FIFA that these choices bear no relation to sport, and the Iranian delegation members will not take part in the World Cup draw," the federation spokesperson stated on state television.

The Iranian sports site Varzesh 3 reported on Tuesday that the United States turned down visa requests from various delegation members, including federation president Mehdi Taj.

Taj condemned the ruling on Thursday, describing it as politically driven.

"We advised FIFA president Gianni Infantino that this is wholly a political stance, and FIFA ought to press the US to abandon such actions," Taj continued.

Varzesh 3 noted that visas were approved for four delegation members, including coach Amir Ghalenoei, ahead of the December 5 draw.

Iran earned qualification for the quadrennial event in March, securing a fourth straight appearance and seventh overall.

Though they have not reached the knockout phase, immense excitement erupted in 1998 when Iran triumphed over the USA 2-1 in their group encounter at the France finals.

The USA retaliated in 2022 with a 1-0 victory against Iran.

The United States, joint host of the World Cup with Canada and Mexico, has maintained strained ties with Iran for more than 40 years.

Nonetheless, senior nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington, initiated in April, persisted amid clashes regarding Iran's uranium enrichment rights, which Tehran deems "inalienable".

These discussions halted in mid-June after Israel unleashed an extensive aerial assault on Iran, sparking a 12-day conflict that saw the United States provide short-term support through attacks on vital Iranian nuclear installations.