FIFA President Gianni Infantino has personally assured Iran that its national team will be free to compete at the 2026 World Cup, despite the United States maintaining a strict travel ban on the country, according to Iran's head coach.
Visa Dispute Overshadows World Cup Draw
The controversy erupted around Friday's glitzy World Cup 2026 final draw in Washington D.C., an event which also saw former US President Donald Trump honoured with a FIFA Peace Prize. The Iranian delegation's attendance was in doubt after Mehdi Taj, the president of the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI), was denied a visa to enter the United States.
Iran had initially threatened to boycott the ceremony altogether. However, head coach Amir Ghalenoei led a delegation that did travel to the US capital after what he described as direct assurances from football's global governing body.
Executive Order and FIFA's "Promise"
The root of the issue is an executive order signed in June, which names Iran and Haiti among a dozen nations facing "fully restricted" and "limited" entry to the US on security grounds. While the order reportedly includes exemptions for athletes, coaching staff, and immediate relatives for the World Cup, it leaves the status of Iranian fans uncertain.
Following the draw – which placed Iran in a group with Belgium, New Zealand, and Egypt – Ghalenoei addressed the ongoing tensions. Via an interpreter, he stated, "As Mr Infantino mentioned... they also talked to our responsible people and for the participation in the World Cup, they promised all the teams will be present here."
When pressed on whether he trusted FIFA to ensure every player and staff member receives a visa, Ghalenoei added, "FIFA is trying. As they promised, they will do their best to have all the team – staff and players – to be present here to participate."
Geopolitical Tensions Frame Sporting Event
The situation is set against a backdrop of significant political strain. The US executive order explicitly labels "Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism." Recent years have seen US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and retaliatory missile attacks by Tehran on an American base in Qatar.
Iran's three scheduled group games for the 2026 tournament are due to be held in Los Angeles, Vancouver, or Seattle, making US entry visas critical. In a formal statement, FIFA welcomed the Iranian delegation's arrival in Washington and expressed its intention to "continue to work with the Federation and the host country authorities to ensure preparations for their participation."
The episode highlights the complex intersection of global sport and international diplomacy, setting the stage for continued negotiations as the tournament approaches.
