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·28 November 2025

World Cup 2026: Iran boycotts the draw in the United States

Article image:World Cup 2026: Iran boycotts the draw in the United States
Article image:World Cup 2026: Iran boycotts the draw in the United States

World Cup 2026: Iran boycotts the draw in the United States

One week before the 2026 World Cup draw, scheduled for December 5 in Washington DC, a notable absence has been confirmed: the Iranian delegation will not be making the trip.

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According to the Iranian Football Federation, the United States refused to grant visas to several members of their delegation, making their participation impossible. In a statement, the Iranian federation explained:

We have informed FIFA that this decision has nothing to do with sport. Therefore, the Iranian delegation members will not take part in the draw.

Iran, which has qualified for its fourth consecutive World Cup, was supposed to attend the ceremony alongside other qualified nations. But since Donald Trump’s return, entry restrictions to the United States have affected several nationalities, including Iranians.

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