Iran vs. U.S.: Visa Dispute Sparks World Cup Draw Boycott

Iran plans to boycott the 2026 World Cup draw in the U.S. due to visa restrictions affecting its delegation. The Iranian football federation expresses discontent, citing unsportsmanlike actions by U.S. authorities. FIFA is involved to address the matter, following Iran's qualification for the event.

Iran has announced its decision to boycott the upcoming 2026 World Cup draw in the United States, citing dissatisfaction with the U.S. visa allocation for its delegation. The Iranian Football Federation's spokesperson, Amir Mehdi Alavi, criticized the limited visa permissions, highlighting political and security-related policies as the root cause.

Alavi revealed that while visas were granted to four delegates, including head coach Amir Ghalenoei, Iranian Football Federation President Mehdi Taj was denied entry. The federation condemned this as an 'unsportsmanlike' tactic, prompting their choice to skip the Washington DC draw event set for December 5. This incident raises questions about sports diplomacy and its intersections with global politics.

In response, the federation reached out to FIFA, awaiting the organization's intervention. This occurs after Iran secured World Cup qualification in March, marking their seventh appearance. The unfolding situation garners international attention as sporting events again become entangled with diplomatic challenges.

(With inputs from agencies.)