Iran will boycott next week’s 2026 World Cup draw in Washington, D.C., after the U.S. denied visas to members of its delegation, according to state-run IRNA.
Iranian officials say the obstacles extend beyond sports, despite Trump administration rules that allow exemptions for athletes and team personnel traveling for major events.
It remains unclear whether those exemptions apply to the draw itself, which will take place at the Kennedy Center.
The delegation would have been led by federation president Mehdi Taj, a senior Asian Football Confederation vice president and member of multiple FIFA committees.
The controversy unfolds as preparations accelerate for the expanded 48-team World Cup co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico, while President Trump continues to threaten relocating matches from Boston over what he calls “unsafe conditions.”
As much as I am glad the all whites have qualified, it would be nice if the world decided to boycott the finals because of the USAs disgusting bullying and warmongering. Boycott the 2028 LA Olympics too.
Hitler got to have the prestige of hosting the olympics in 1936 when most countries could see what was going on in Germany. The US has for 35 years (at least) been starting wars based on lies and getting away with it. Trump, and his predecessors do not deserve to have the priviledge.
The USA does not show respect. It deserves none