The Iran soccer federation have revealed that they will not be attending the 2026 World Cup draw held in Washington, D.C. next Friday in protest against the allocation of U.S. visas for the delegation.
Iran qualified for the World Cup back in March and are slated to be in Pot 2, potentially setting them up for a divisive group stage clash with the U.S. next summer. Not that anyone from the national team will be there for the draw.
There have been strict regulations in the United States regarding visas for Iranians for years but it was assumed that steps would be taken to ensure that the full traveling party of representatives would be granted access to attend the event at the Kennedy Center. FIFA president Gianni Infantino is accused of promising as much by the federation’s spokesperson Amir Mehdi Alavi.
Yet, that entry has not been guaranteed and now no delegates from Iran will be in attendance.
“Considering that the decisions taken are unsportsmanlike and the path has deviated from the sporting process, it was decided that the Iranian delegation will not be present at the draw ceremony,” Alavi told Iranian outlet .
“The Football Federation has been in correspondence with FIFA for the last two days and this matter has been brought to the attention of the FIFA president and secretary General.”
