Fresh reports that indicate Iran might miss the 2026 World Cup have emerged following the new immigration law changes in the US.
Iran’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been thrown into uncertainty after the state-run IRNA news agency reported on Friday that the country refused to attend the tournament’s draw in Washington. The boycott stems from the United States’ refusal to grant visas to members of Iran’s delegation, an issue Tehran says threatens its ability to take part in the competition at all.
According to Iranian football federation spokesman Amir-Mahdi Alavi, the visa complications extend far beyond routine sporting considerations. He stated that Iranian officials sought FIFA’s intervention, but the governing body has yet to respond to their request for assistance.
The dispute comes against the backdrop of a U.S. travel ban affecting citizens from 12 countries, including Iran and Haiti. The policy, announced in June by President Donald Trump’s administration, restricts entry into the U.S. despite promises of exemptions for athletes, coaches, and essential staff participating in major global sporting events such as the World Cup and the Olympics.
However, it remains unclear whether such exemptions will apply to World Cup–related events beyond the matches themselves, such as the December 5, 2025, draw at the Kennedy Center. With no clarity from Washington and no response from FIFA, Iran now faces the possibility that ongoing visa restrictions could ultimately prevent its national team from taking part in the 2026 World Cup.