Iran has announced it will boycott the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw in Washington, D.C., citing the United States’ refusal to issue visas to several members of its delegation. The decision was confirmed by the Iranian Football Federation on Friday, highlighting the growing intersection of politics and sports diplomacy.

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Visa Dispute Blocks Iranian Delegation

The federation stated that the US decision to deny visas is “purely political” and unrelated to sports. A spokesperson told Iranian state television:

“We have informed FIFA that the decisions taken have nothing to do with sports, and the members of the Iranian delegation will not participate in the World Cup draw.”

According to the Iranian sports outlet Varzesh 3, the delegation members affected include Mehdi Taj, the president of the Iranian Football Federation, along with other senior officials. While four members, including national coach Amir Ghalenoei, received visas, the federation emphasized that the partial approval is insufficient for meaningful participation in the December 5 draw.

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Iranian Officials Denounce US Decision

Mehdi Taj criticized the US action as politically motivated, urging FIFA to intervene. He said:

“We have told FIFA President Gianni Infantino that it is purely a political position and that FIFA must tell them [US] to desist from this behaviour.”

The draw in Washington will determine the group-stage fixtures for the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Iran qualified for the tournament in March, marking its fourth consecutive appearance and seventh overall in World Cup history.

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Iran vs. US Football History

Football matches between Iran and the US carry symbolic weight beyond the sport. In the 1998 World Cup in France, Iran famously defeated the US 2-1 in the group stage, creating one of the most celebrated moments in Iranian football history. In contrast, the 2022 Qatar World Cup saw the US secure a 1-0 victory over Iran.

Despite the rivalry on the pitch, diplomatic tensions between the two countries have long influenced sports interactions. Iran and the US have been at odds for more than four decades, with high-level negotiations over nuclear policy punctuated by periods of military tension.

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Context: Political Tensions and Regional Conflict

Earlier in 2025, nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington, which began in April, stalled over disagreements on Iran’s uranium enrichment program, which Tehran insists is “inalienable.” The situation escalated in mid-June when Israel conducted a bombing campaign against Iranian nuclear sites, sparking a 12-day conflict. The US briefly joined the military action, targeting key Iranian facilities.

The visa dispute for the World Cup draw is seen as a continuation of strained US-Iran relations, illustrating how geopolitical conflicts can spill over into the realm of international sports.

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Implications for FIFA and International Football

Iran’s absence from the draw may have logistical and diplomatic consequences for FIFA, which must now navigate a politically sensitive situation while organizing the 2026 tournament. The event will bring together 48 teams across three host nations, requiring careful coordination of diplomatic and security considerations.

While Iran’s participation on the field is guaranteed, its boycott of the draw highlights the ongoing challenge of keeping international sports insulated from political conflicts. Analysts say FIFA may face pressure to balance the interests of all member nations while avoiding precedent for future political boycotts.