The 2026 FIFA World Cup is already making headlines long before the first whistle, as Iran has officially announced it will boycott the tournament’s final draw in Washington, DC, on December 5, 2025. This decision comes after the United States refused to grant visas to several key members of the Iranian football federation’s delegation, including president Mehdi Taj. The move has ignited a heated debate about the intersection of politics and sport, and it’s left fans and officials worldwide questioning how such disputes could impact the world’s biggest football event.
Iran’s stance was made clear on Friday, November 28, 2025, when the country’s football federation declared that it would not be sending representatives to the all-important draw. The federation’s spokesman, Amir Mehdi Alavi, didn’t mince words, telling the English-language Tehran Times, “We have informed FIFA that the decisions taken are unrelated to sport and that the members of the Iranian delegation will not participate in the World Cup draw.” This sentiment was echoed across Iranian media, with Varzesh 3 and Tarafdari reporting that the U.S. denied visas to several high-ranking officials, most notably Mehdi Taj, who holds influential positions on two tournament-governing committees and serves as vice-president of the Asian Football Confederation.
Only four Iranian officials received visas: head coach Amir Ghalenoei, executive director Mehdi Kharati, international relations director Omid Jamali, and Alavi himself. The exclusion of Taj and two others was not taken lightly. “The current position of the Iran Football Federation executive committee is that no one will attend the event unless all visas are issued,” Taj told Iranian television on Thursday. He added, “We remain in close communication with the Iranian foreign ministry and other authorities, and we will take the necessary decision at the appropriate time.”
It’s important to note that Iran’s boycott is limited solely to the draw ceremony and not the tournament itself. The Iranian squad has already qualified for its seventh World Cup finals and fourth consecutive appearance, a feat celebrated by fans after a hard-fought campaign. Still, the absence of Iran’s officials at the draw will be conspicuous, especially as the event determines the group stage match-ups for the record 48 teams set to compete across the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
The U.S. government’s decision to deny visas is rooted in a broader context of long-standing political tensions with Iran. In June 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order restricting entry from 12 nations, including Iran, citing security and political concerns. While the order includes exemptions for athletes and essential support staff traveling for major sporting events like the World Cup and the 2028 Olympics, the Iranian federation contends that the denial of visas to officials such as Taj is “unsportsmanlike” and “politicized.” Taj didn’t hold back, stating, “We informed the FIFA president, Mr. Infantino, that they have taken a political stance and the situation is completely politicized. We believe that FIFA should take a stand against such behaviour.”
FIFA, for its part, has found itself in a delicate position. The governing body’s commitment to inclusion and fairness is being tested as it navigates the realities of hosting a global event in a country with strict visa policies. According to Alavi, “FIFA has said it will follow up on the matter seriously.” The organization’s willingness to advocate for affected delegations will be under the microscope in the coming weeks, especially as the draw approaches and the spotlight intensifies.
This isn’t the first time that politics have threatened to overshadow the beautiful game, but the stakes feel higher with the expanded World Cup format and the unprecedented number of participating nations. The 2026 tournament will be the first to feature 48 teams and 104 matches, up from 32 teams and 64 matches in 2022. The draw, scheduled for 12pm ET at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, will place teams into four pots based on FIFA world rankings, setting the stage for the group phase. With six spots still up for grabs in the March 2026 playoffs, anticipation is running high among fans and teams alike.
Iran’s absence at the draw is particularly poignant given the nation’s rich football history and its passionate fanbase. The team’s qualification campaign was a source of national pride, and their seventh appearance on the world stage is a testament to the program’s resilience. Yet, the current diplomatic standoff serves as a stark reminder that global sporting events are not immune to the world’s geopolitical realities. The U.S. and Iran have been at loggerheads for over four decades, and this latest spat is just the most recent chapter in a long narrative of mutual suspicion and political maneuvering.
It’s not just Iran feeling the effects of U.S. visa policy. Haiti, another nation on the restricted list, has also qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1974. The U.S. State Department has made it clear that there will be no exemptions for Haitian fans wishing to travel for the tournament, raising questions about the inclusivity of the event for supporters from affected countries. The Trump Administration’s introduction of the FIFA Pass—a scheme giving World Cup ticket-holders priority access to visa interviews—offers some relief for fans, but the broader challenges remain.
The logistical hurdles of hosting an event of this magnitude in a country with stringent entry controls are significant. Organizers must ensure that teams, officials, and fans can travel, train, and compete without undue difficulties. Security will be tight, with 16 stadiums across North America set to host matches and millions of fans expected to descend on host cities. The lessons from past sporting events, such as the delayed kickoff at the 2024 Copa America final due to security lapses, loom large. Broadcast infrastructure, too, must be flawless, with billions expected to tune in worldwide.
Despite these challenges, the excitement surrounding the 2026 World Cup is palpable. The expanded format has allowed for the inclusion of new nations like Uzbekistan, Jordan, Curacao, and Cape Verde, fueling hopes for Cinderella stories and dramatic upsets. Football giants like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are poised for potentially career-defining moments, while host nations USA, Mexico, and Canada dream of deep tournament runs buoyed by home support.
As the football world waits for the draw, the absence of Iran’s delegation will serve as a sobering reminder of the complex interplay between sport and politics. While the tournament itself is set to proceed with all qualified teams, the controversy has already cast a shadow over the build-up. All eyes will now be on FIFA and U.S. officials to see if any last-minute resolutions can be reached, or if the rift will persist right up to kickoff.
For now, the stage is set for a World Cup like no other—one where the action on the pitch may be rivaled only by the drama off it. The draw will go on, but questions about fairness, access, and the true spirit of global sport will linger as the countdown to 2026 continues.
