Tehran, November 29 – Iran’s Football Federation will boycott the final draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup scheduled for December 5 in Washington DC, after the United States denied visas to several key members of the Iranian delegation.
Federation spokesperson Amir Mehdi Alavi announced the decision on Friday, telling IRIB TV that it was taken after necessary consultations, internal discussions, and advice from the Ministry of Sports and Youth and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He condemned the American action, calling it contrary to the spirit of sportsmanship.
Alavi clarified that FIFA officials, including President Gianni Infantino, have been informed about the visa issue. According to a ‘Xinhua’ report, Alavi stated that FIFA has promised to take this matter seriously.
The visa denial has affected several key officials, including the Federation president. However, four members, including men’s national team head coach Amir Ghalenoei, have received their visas.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will begin on June 11 and continue until July 19, featuring 48 teams divided into 12 groups of four teams each. The tournament will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico – marking the first time the World Cup will be held across three countries.
After the group stage, the top two teams from each group, along with the eight highest-ranked third-place teams, will advance to a larger knockout phase, creating a bigger and more competitive elimination bracket compared to previous editions.
A total of 16 stadiums have been selected for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Three venues are in Mexico, two in Canada, and the remaining 11 in the United States.
Iran has secured its place for the 2026 World Cup, marking the country’s fourth consecutive appearance in the FIFA World Cup. The team has participated in the World Cup seven times in total.
RSG
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
