Iran has announced it will boycott the 2026 World Cup draw ceremony scheduled for December 5 in Washington, D.C., after the United States denied visas to several members of its delegation. The state-run IRNA news agency reported that Iran decided to boycott the draw because the U.S. denied visas to members of its delegation.
The decision marks a significant diplomatic incident just days before one of football’s most anticipated events, where 48 teams will learn their group-stage opponents for the historic tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
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Official Announcement and Reasoning
Iranian soccer federation spokesman Amir-Mahdi Alavi stated that officials faced visa obstacles that go beyond sports considerations. The federation emphasized that the visa denials were politically motivated and had nothing to do with sporting matters.
| 2026 World Cup Draw Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | December 5, 2025 |
| Location | Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C. |
| Time | 12:00 PM ET (18:00 CET) |
| Participating Teams | 48 (42 known, 6 TBD) |
| Format | 12 groups of 4 teams |
| Iran’s Status | Qualified (fourth consecutive appearance) |
FFIRI spokesperson Amir Mehdi Alavi said the decision followed internal discussions and consultations with the Ministry of Sports and Youth and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, adding that the matter completely defies logic and has nothing to do with sports.
Alavi said the federation had reached out to FIFA and hoped it could help resolve the issue. However, soccer’s ruling body didn’t immediately reply to requests for comment regarding the diplomatic impasse.
Senior Officials Denied Entry
The Iranian delegation would have been expected to be led by its soccer federation president Mehdi Taj, one of the most senior officials in Asian soccer and a member of two FIFA committees that have oversight of the World Cup. His absence represents a significant blow to Iran’s representation at the ceremonial event.
Taj is one of the vice presidents of the Asian Football Confederation and a member of FIFA panels with responsibility for the ruling body’s competitions, plus men’s national team soccer in general, making his exclusion particularly noteworthy given his prominent role in international football governance.
The visa denials affect senior officials, including FFIRI President Mehdi Taj and Vice President Mehdi Nabi, with only four members—head coach Amir Ghalenoei, executive director Mehdi Kharati, director of international relations Omid Jamali, and FFIRI spokesperson Alavi—receiving visas.
Trump Administration Travel Ban Context
President Donald Trump’s administration announced in June a travel ban on citizens from 12 countries, including Iran. The comprehensive restrictions went into effect on June 9, 2025, affecting millions of people from the designated nations.
The proclamation fully restricts and limits the entry of nationals from Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, with the White House citing national security concerns and inadequate screening capabilities.
Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism and regularly fails to cooperate with the United States Government in identifying security risks, according to the administration’s justification. The ban represents the most extensive travel restrictions since Trump’s first-term policies.
Exemptions for Athletes—But Not Officials
Exemptions were promised for any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives, traveling for the World Cup and Olympics. However, the scope of these exemptions remains unclear regarding administrative officials attending preliminary events like the draw ceremony.
It is unclear whether the exemptions also apply to the World Cup draw, which takes place on December 5 at the Kennedy Center. This ambiguity has created the current diplomatic standoff between Iran and the United States.
The exemptions specifically mention athletes and immediate team members for actual competition, but administrative officials attending pre-tournament ceremonies appear to fall into a gray area not explicitly covered by the travel ban’s sporting exceptions.
Iranian Federation Response
The federation has formally raised the matter with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Secretary General Mattias Grafström in recent days, with FIFA promising to look into the case. Iran is seeking international football’s governing body to intervene on its behalf.
President Taj denounced the decision as political, urging FIFA to intervene by telling the head of FIFA that it is purely a political position and that FIFA must tell them to desist from this behavior. His strong language reflects the deep frustration within Iranian football circles.
Alavi warned that Washington’s move could have wider implications for Iran’s national team, saying future travel by Iranian players and staff to the United States during the tournament could be affected. This raises questions about whether similar issues might arise when Iran’s squad travels for actual matches next summer.
Unprecedented in Iranian Football History
Alavi described the US visa row as unprecedented in Iranian football history, emphasizing that Team Melli members or FFIRI executive staff have never been denied visas and have attended competitions on a regular basis. The incident represents a departure from decades of sporting protocols that generally separated athletics from political tensions.
Iran and the United States have maintained hostile diplomatic relations for more than four decades, yet football exchanges typically proceeded without major impediments. Team Melli has previously traveled to the United States for matches and tournaments without facing systematic visa denials for its officials.
Iran’s World Cup Qualification
Iran secured its place at the 2026 World Cup in March 2025, guaranteeing a fourth successive appearance and seventh overall in the tournament’s history. The team, known as Team Melli, has established itself as one of Asia’s most consistent qualifiers despite never progressing beyond the group stage.
Iran beat the United States 2-1 in their group match at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, a historic victory that was celebrated across Iran. The result remains one of the most iconic moments in Iranian sporting history.
More than two decades later, the two sides met again at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with the United States edging past Iran 1-0 in a tightly contested match that ended Iran’s hopes of advancing to the knockout stage. The geopolitical rivalry between the nations adds extra significance to their on-field encounters.
The 2026 World Cup Draw Format
The draw for the 2026 FIFA men’s World Cup will take place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 5, with the event traditionally a mix of entertainment and the business of dividing the teams into 12 groups of four for the opening stage of the tournament.
The 48 teams will be divided into four pots of 12, with Pot 1 consisting of the three hosts and the top nine teams from the November 2025 FIFA Men’s World Ranking. The remaining pots will be determined by FIFA rankings, with teams from the same confederation generally unable to be drawn into the same group except for UEFA nations.
The draw will commence at 12:00 local time (18:00 CET) and will be beamed to the three host countries and around the globe by FIFA’s Media Partners. Millions of football fans worldwide will watch to see which teams their nations will face in the group stage.
Haiti Also Affected by Travel Ban
The list of banned countries also included Haiti, which last week qualified for the World Cup. This creates a similar dilemma for another qualified nation facing restrictions on its officials’ travel to the United States for World Cup-related events.
The inclusion of two 2026 World Cup participants on the travel ban list creates potential complications for tournament logistics, team preparation, and diplomatic protocols. Both Iran and Haiti now face uncertainty about their delegations’ ability to participate in pre-tournament activities on U.S. soil.
Kennedy Center Venue Selection
The choice of venue is notable because Trump has taken over the Kennedy Center, installing himself as chair and replacing the board of trustees with loyalists. The venue selection carries political symbolism beyond its role as a cultural institution.
The Kennedy Center represents America’s national cultural center and a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, attracting millions of visitors each year. Its selection for the 2026 World Cup draw emphasizes the tournament’s significance while also placing it firmly within Trump’s political orbit.
White House and FIFA Silence
There was no immediate comment from the White House regarding Iran‘s boycott announcement. The administration has not addressed whether it will reconsider the visa denials or offer alternative arrangements for Iranian officials to participate remotely.
FIFA has also remained silent on the matter despite Iranian officials’ reported outreach to President Gianni Infantino. The governing body faces a delicate balancing act between maintaining good relations with the United States as a host nation and ensuring fair treatment for all qualified teams.
Potential Tournament Implications
The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, will feature a record 48 teams, with questions remaining about whether exemptions under prior US travel rules for athletes extend to officials attending the tournament draw.
The federation warned that this approach could directly affect Team Melli’s preparations and performance throughout the tournament. Logistical challenges could mount if Iranian officials continue facing visa difficulties as the tournament approaches.
The 2026 World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, with matches across 16 cities in the three host nations. Iran will need to ensure its players, coaches, and essential staff can travel freely to matches, particularly those held in United States venues.
Historical US-Iran Football Encounters
The football rivalry between Iran and the United States carries significant political and cultural weight. Their 1998 meeting in France occurred during a period of diplomatic isolation, yet the match proceeded peacefully and featured symbolic gestures of sportsmanship.
Their 2022 encounter in Qatar took place amid heightened tensions over Iran’s nuclear program and regional conflicts. Despite the political backdrop, both teams competed professionally, though the geopolitical context overshadowed the sporting spectacle.
The potential for Iran and the United States to meet again at the 2026 World Cup—possibly in American stadiums—adds another layer of complexity to an already fraught diplomatic situation.
What Happens Next
Iran will not be represented at the December 5 draw ceremony, though its team will still be included in the drawing process. FIFA will conduct the draw with Iranian officials participating remotely or not at all, depending on any last-minute resolutions.
The boycott sets a concerning precedent for international sporting events where host nations maintain restrictive entry policies against participating countries. It raises questions about FIFA’s role in ensuring all qualified nations receive equal treatment and access to tournament-related activities.
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, FIFA, U.S. officials, and Iranian authorities will need to establish clear protocols to prevent similar incidents from disrupting the actual tournament. The situation tests FIFA’s commitment to keeping politics separate from sports while acknowledging the real-world constraints of hosting major events in countries with complex foreign policy positions.
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FAQs
Why is Iran boycotting the 2026 World Cup draw?
Iran is boycotting the draw because the United States denied visas to several members of its delegation, including senior officials like federation president Mehdi Taj. The federation stated the visa obstacles go beyond sports considerations and are politically motivated.
When and where is the 2026 World Cup draw taking place?
The 2026 World Cup draw is scheduled for December 5, 2025, at 12:00 PM ET at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The event will be broadcast globally as teams learn their group-stage opponents.
Does Iran’s boycott affect its participation in the actual World Cup?
No, Iran’s boycott only affects its delegation’s attendance at the draw ceremony. Iran remains qualified for the 2026 World Cup and will still be included in the drawing process, making its fourth consecutive World Cup appearance.
What is the Trump travel ban affecting Iranian officials?
President Trump’s administration announced a travel ban in June 2025 on citizens from 12 countries, including Iran. While exemptions exist for athletes competing in major sporting events, it’s unclear whether these exemptions apply to officials attending pre-tournament ceremonies like the draw.
Has Iran played the United States at previous World Cups?
Yes, Iran defeated the United States 2-1 at the 1998 World Cup in France and lost 1-0 to the United States at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Both matches carried significant political and cultural weight beyond the sporting competition.
