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Iran attends World Cup draw amid visa tensions
Iran's national football team will be represented at the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington, DC, on Friday, despite an ongoing dispute over denied visas for key officials. Only two members of Iran's delegation-head coach Amir Ghalenoi and FFIRI international relations chief Omid Jamali-have traveled to the U.S. so far.
Visa row threatens full participation
Iran initially applied for nine visas but received approval for just four, with Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) President Mehdi Taj among those rejected. Taj warned earlier this week that no Iranian officials would attend the draw unless all requested visas were granted, following discussions with FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Despite the threat of a boycott, Ghalenoi and Jamali arrived in the U.S., leaving open the possibility that additional delegates may join them before the event.
Draw details and Iran's World Cup history
The 2026 World Cup draw will take place at 17:00 GMT on Friday in Washington, DC. The tournament, co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, marks Iran's seventh World Cup appearance and fourth consecutive qualification.
U.S. visa restrictions complicate travel
The visa denials stem from long-standing U.S. restrictions on Iranian nationals, citing political and security concerns. In June, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order barring entry for citizens of 12 countries, including Iran, though the order includes exemptions for athletes and coaching staff participating in major sporting events like the World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Despite these exemptions, the visa process has created friction, with Iranian officials alleging unequal treatment compared to other delegations.
What's next
The draw will proceed as scheduled, with Iran's participation in the tournament itself unaffected by the visa dispute. However, the incident highlights ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two nations, even in the context of international sports.
