Iran to attend World Cup draw after reversing its planned boycott

"Last week the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) said it would stay away after three members of its delegation were denied visas for entering the United States. On Thursday, however, the Iranian sports minister, Ahmad Donyamali, told the Iranian news agency Irna that the head coach, Amir Ghalenoei, would be among those attending. Our representatives have a visa and should participate in the World Cup draw, he said."

"Iran is one of 19 countries whose citizens are restricted from entering the US, after a directive issued by Donald Trump in June. An exemption to the ban was granted to athletes, coaches or persons performing a necessary support role who were travelling for the World Cup. The Iranian federation said last week it had applied for seven visas but that three names had been rejected by the US, including the president of the FFIRI, Mehdi Taj."

"Concerns remain over the possible effect of the travel ban on supporters of Iran and Haiti, who are also on the list, who wish to attend the tournament next year. Fifa has confirmed the creation of the Fifa Pass, a scheme that will allow World Cup ticket holders priority access to the visa application process before the tournament. But applications are not guaranteed to be successful. This week a number of human rights organisations raised concerns over the possible mistreatment of fans from overseas or from minority communities at the World Cup."

Iran reversed its boycott of the World Cup draw and will send team representatives to Washington DC after securing visas for some delegation members. The FFIRI had applied for seven visas but said three names were rejected by US authorities, including FFIRI president Mehdi Taj. Iran is among 19 countries subject to US entry restrictions under a June directive, though athletes, coaches and necessary support personnel received an exemption for the World Cup. Concerns persist about supporters from Iran and Haiti being affected. FIFA created a Fifa Pass to prioritise visa applications for ticket holders, but approvals are not guaranteed. Human rights groups warned of possible mistreatment of overseas and minority fans, and Jamil Dakwar criticised aggressive US immigration enforcement and National Guard deployments in tournament cities.

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