TEHRAN, November 28, 2025: Iran’s football federation announced it will boycott the official draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after members of its delegation were denied visas to enter the United States. The event is scheduled to take place on December 5 in Washington, D.C., but the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) confirmed that no representatives will attend following what it described as unresolved visa restrictions. The FFIRI stated that its request for entry permits for several senior officials, including federation president Mehdi Taj, was rejected by U.S. authorities.
Only a limited number of approvals were reportedly issued, allowing a few technical staff to attend. The federation said it informed FIFA of its decision to boycott the draw after it became clear that its full delegation would not be granted travel authorization. FIFA had extended invitations to all qualified national teams for the draw, which will finalize group placements ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The tournament will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marking the first time three nations will co-host the event.
Iran, which secured its place earlier this year, will now be the only qualified team absent from the official ceremony in Washington. The Iranian federation said it made the decision after consultations with the Ministry of Sports and Youth and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Officials in Tehran said the choice to abstain was made to ensure consistency in representing the country’s interests during international events. They added that FIFA was formally notified through official correspondence and that all procedural requirements were followed.
Iran confirms full boycott after visa denials
The visa issue comes amid longstanding diplomatic strains between Tehran and Washington, which have not maintained formal diplomatic relations since 1980. In recent years, sporting interactions between the two countries have occasionally faced administrative hurdles, including travel and sanction-related restrictions. Despite these challenges, Iran has continued to compete in international tournaments under FIFA regulations, which require all host nations to facilitate participation for qualifying teams.
Iran qualified for the 2026 World Cup after finishing top of its Asian group earlier this year, marking the team’s seventh appearance at the global tournament and its fourth consecutive qualification. The national team, led by head coach Amir Ghalenoei, is currently ranked among Asia’s top teams and has been preparing for the next phase of international fixtures scheduled for early 2026. FIFA has not yet commented publicly on Iran’s withdrawal from the draw but is expected to proceed with the event as planned in Washington.
Tehran stresses procedural compliance in boycott notice
The organization’s regulations allow for teams unable to attend official ceremonies to be represented by proxy, ensuring that the draw process remains unaffected. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature an expanded 48-team format for the first time, with 104 matches played across 16 cities in North America. The United States will host the majority of fixtures, including the opening and final matches. Canada and Mexico will each stage several group and knockout games. Iran’s absence from the draw marks a rare diplomatic impasse intersecting with global sport, highlighting the administrative complexities surrounding international competitions hosted by multiple nations.
With the boycott decision finalized, the FFIRI said it will continue coordinating with FIFA on all other procedural matters related to the 2026 tournament, including logistics, scheduling, and team registration. The Washington draw will take place under heightened global attention as teams from around the world learn their group-stage opponents. Despite its absence, Iran’s national team will remain in contention for full participation in the 2026 World Cup once the competition begins in June 2026. – By Content Syndication Services.