By Martin Graham
Iran’s national federation has indicated it may refuse to participate in Friday’s 2026 World Cup draw in the United States due to a shortage of visas allocated to its officials.
The Tehran Times reported that US authorities approved only four permits, none of which were granted to federation president Mehdi Taj.
Taj said he had contacted FIFA chief Gianni Infantino to address the matter, stressing that a final decision depends on how quickly the situation evolves. He told Iranian television that the federation is coordinating with the foreign ministry and other state bodies before choosing a course of action.
Tehran insists on full approval of the delegation
According to Taj, the executive committee’s stance is firm: the federation will not send anyone to the ceremony unless all the required visas are issued.
He stressed that the current circumstances leave the federation with limited options, and that they will act only when the time is right.
The draw will take place in Washington DC on Friday 5th December at 17:00 GMT (12:00 local time). Iran have already secured their place in the tournament for the seventh time overall and for the fourth time in a row.
Political tensions undermine preparations
The United States, which hosts the 2026 competition along with Canada and Mexico, enforces strict and long-standing entry rules for Iranian citizens for political and security reasons.
Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump approved an executive order blocking travelers from 12 nations, including Iran. The order seeks to exclude athletes and coaching staff attending major global events such as the World Cup and the 2028 Olympics.
Taj argued that the visa dispute has taken on a political dimension. He said he notified Infantino that the situation reflects a political stance by the United States and urged FIFA to respond accordingly.
