The Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) announced on Friday that Iran will not participate in the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled for December 5 in Washington, D.C. The decision follows the U.S. refusal to grant visas to several senior Iranian football officials.
According to the federation’s spokesperson, the visa denials affected key figures including federation president Mehdi Taj, along with other board members. While a handful of individuals – such as the head coach and a few staff – did receive visas, the partial authorizations were deemed insufficient, prompting Tehran to label the U.S. decision as “unsportsmanlike” and “politically motivated.”
In an official statement, FFIRI said the move “has nothing to do with sport” and informed FIFA that the entire Iranian delegation will skip the draw ceremony. The federation has urged FIFA to pressure the U.S. to reverse the visa denials, arguing that the integrity of sporting events is at stake.
The boycott adds a new twist to the tensions between Iran and the United States – long defined by geopolitical friction – now spilling over into global football. Iran secured its place in the expanded 48-team 2026 World Cup this year, marking their seventh overall and fourth consecutive appearance.
Whether Iran will maintain full participation in the tournament despite the boycott remains uncertain. FFIRI says it hopes the issue can be resolved in time, but warned that ongoing visa restrictions may jeopardize the national team’s travel, preparations, and participation in the tournament itself.
