Iran has performed a dramatic U-turn and will now send representatives to Friday's prestigious 2026 World Cup draw in Washington DC, having initially declared a boycott after several officials were denied US visas.
From Boycott to Participation
The Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) announced last week it would stay away from the glitzy event after three members of its planned delegation, including federation president Mehdi Taj, were refused entry to the United States. However, on Thursday, the country's sports minister, Ahmad Donyamali, confirmed the reversal to the Iranian news agency Irna.
Donyamali stated that head coach Amir Ghalenoei would be among those attending the draw. "Our representatives have a visa and should participate in the World Cup draw," he said. Reports from the Tehran Times suggest Ghalenoei will travel alongside Omid Jamali, who heads the federation's international relations department.
Navigating the US Travel Ban
The situation stems from a US entry ban affecting citizens from 19 nations, a policy originally enacted by former President Donald Trump in June. While an exemption exists for athletes, coaches, and essential support staff travelling for the World Cup, the FFIRI claimed that out of seven visa applications, three were rejected by US authorities.
A spokesperson for the US State Department commented on the broader visa process for the tournament, saying, "We are doing everything we can to support a successful World Cup. At the same time, the Trump administration will not waver in upholding American law and the highest standards of national security and public safety."
Ongoing Concerns for Supporters
While the team's management can now attend, significant worries persist for ordinary fans hoping to support their nations at the 2026 finals. Iran and Haiti are both on the list of countries facing US entry restrictions, potentially barring thousands of supporters.
Fifa has introduced a 'Fifa Pass' scheme to give World Cup ticket holders priority in the visa application process, but it explicitly states that applications are not guaranteed to be successful. This leaves travel plans for many fans in serious doubt.
Furthermore, human rights organisations have raised alarms about the potential treatment of international fans and minority groups during the tournament. Jamil Dakwar, human rights director at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), criticised what he called a "systematic anti-human rights campaign" targeting immigrants, noting the deployment of the National Guard in host cities.
The resolution of the Iranian delegation's attendance removes one immediate diplomatic flashpoint, but the wider issue of fan access under the US travel ban remains a contentious and unresolved challenge for the upcoming World Cup.
