Iran boycotting World Cup draw ceremony due to denied visas by Trump administration

The teams for the 2026 World Cup can be randomly chosen subsequent week in Washington, DC, however one of many taking part nations has determined to boycott the draw.

Iran selected to not attend the occasion as a result of america denied visas to members of its delegation, state information company IRNA reported on Friday.

The company quoted Iranian Soccer Federation spokesman Amir-Mahdi Alavi as saying officers confronted visa obstacles that transcend sports activities issues. Alavi stated the federation had contacted FIFA and hoped this might assist resolve the difficulty.

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The Iranian gamers rejoice after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asia zone qualification group A soccer match between Iran and Uzbekistan, on March 25, 2025, in Tehran. (AFP by way of Getty Photographs)

President Donald Trump’s administration introduced a journey ban on residents from twelve nations, together with Iran, in June. The listing additionally included Haiti, which certified for the World Cup final week.

Nevertheless, exemptions had been promised for “any athlete or member of an athletics staff, together with coaches, individuals performing a vital assist position, and quick members of the family, touring for the World Cup, the Olympic Video games, or different main sporting occasion, as decided by the Secretary of State.”

The White Home didn’t reply to Fox Information Digital’s request for remark.

It’s unclear whether or not the exemptions additionally apply to the World Cup draw, which can happen subsequent Friday on the Kennedy Middle.

The Iranian delegation was anticipated to be led by Soccer Federation President Mehdi Taj, one of the senior officers in Asian soccer and a member of two FIFA committees that oversee the World Cup.

He is likely one of the vice-presidents of the Asian Soccer Confederation and a member of the FIFA panels chargeable for the governing physique’s competitions, plus the lads’s nationwide staff basically.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino solutions questions throughout a press convention on the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday, June 16, 2022, in New York. (AP Photograph/Noah Okay. Murray)

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A file variety of 48 groups will take part within the World Cup from June 11 to July 19, which is collectively hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico. Six of the groups can be decided subsequent March.

The championship will happen at MetLife Stadium, house of the New York Giants and Jets, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The primary will happen at Estadio Azteca in Mexico Metropolis.

Video games may even be performed within the Boston space, however Trump has threatened to tug video games from Foxoborough, Massachusetts if “there are unsafe situations.”

Trump made the suggestion whereas answering media questions throughout a gathering with Argentine President Javier Milei on the White Home, threatening to name FIFA President Gianni Infantino desires to maneuver the video games to cities that do cooperate, as a consequence of security issues.

“We are able to take them away. I like the individuals of Boston. And I do know the video games are offered out, however the mayor is not any good. There are worse than her. At the least she’s clever. You recognize, a few of them have extraordinarily low IQs. These trouble me extra. She’s clever, however she’s radical left,” Trump stated.

US President Donald Trump and first girl Melania Trump within the stands with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and his spouse Leena Al Ashqar throughout the 2025 FIFA Membership World Cup Last at MetLife Stadium. (Jeenah Moon/Reuters by way of Imagn pictures)

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“The reply is sure. If somebody is doing a foul job and if I really feel like there are unsafe situations, I might name Gianni, the pinnacle of FIFA, who’s phenomenal, and say, ‘Let’s transfer it to a different location,’ and he would do this. He would not love to do it, however he would do it, very simply, he would do it. And that is the best time to do it.”

Boston is presently set to host seven video games when the World Cup involves North America subsequent summer time. The listing contains 5 group stage matches, one Spherical of 32 match and the primary quarter-final on July 9.

Jackson Thompson of Fox Information and The Related Press contributed to this report.

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