Iran, which recently threatened to boycott the 2026 World Cup draw over the U.S. denial of visas to its delegation members, has revised its stance. On Wednesday, the Iranian Football Federation announced that some representatives would attend the event in Washington on Friday, despite ongoing tensions regarding Trump administration’s immigration policies. This change comes after several days of uncertainty, during which Tehran accused the U.S. of hindering the participation of key football officials, including federation president Mehdi Taj, who is still denied a visa. The Iranian Federation’s spokesperson, who had recently criticized “decisions unrelated to sports”, confirmed that discussions with FIFA are ongoing to address individual cases that remain unresolved.
According to Iranian sports authorities, head coach Amir Ghalenoei will lead the small delegation permitted to enter the U.S., accompanied by one or two additional representatives. This minimal presence represents a fragile compromise, as while Iran is not fully boycotting, several of its influential officials, including members of FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation, remain barred from entering due to a travel ban enacted in 2025. The situation continues to reflect the tug-of-war between diplomatic demands, security regulations, and sports imperatives as the drawn event approaches. For both Tehran and FIFA, the key is to ensure that Iran’s limited participation in the ceremony does not forecast more serious obstacles leading up to the tournament, as the visa issue remains central in the complex relations between the two countries.
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