In an unprecedented move that blends sports with international diplomacy, the Iranian Football Federation has declared a formal boycott of the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw. This decisive action comes as a direct response to the United States’ refusal to grant entry visas to several key members of Iran’s delegation scheduled to attend the event in Washington, D.C.
The Federation’s spokesperson publicly confirmed the boycott on Iranian state television, stating, ‘We have formally notified FIFA that these decisions are devoid of sporting spirit. Consequently, our delegation will not participate in the World Cup draw.’ Reports from the Iranian sports outlet Varzesh 3 earlier indicated that Federation President Mehdi Taj was among those denied visas.
Taj condemned the US decision as overtly political, revealing he had appealed directly to FIFA President Gianni Infantino. ‘We have communicated to Mr. Infantino that this is a purely political stance. FIFA must insist that the US refrains from such conduct,’ Taj asserted. Interestingly, visas were reportedly approved for four other delegation members, including team coach Amir Ghalenoei, highlighting the selective nature of the denials.
This incident revives the long-standing, tense history between the two nations, which has previously spilled onto the football pitch. Iran’s celebrated 2-1 victory over the US in the 1998 World Cup remains a historic moment, later avenged by the Americans with a 1-0 win in the 2022 tournament. The 2026 World Cup is set to be co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico.
The geopolitical context adds profound complexity to the dispute. The nations have been entrenched in conflict for over four decades. High-level nuclear talks that commenced in April had offered a fragile hope for diplomacy but collapsed abruptly in mid-June following a military offensive by Israel against Iran. This conflict escalated into a 12-day war, which saw the US briefly engage with airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, further severing the already fragile relations between Tehran and Washington.