"Iran is to be represented at Friday's draw for the 2026 World Cup. The country's FA had previously said it would boycott the draw after several members of its planned delegation were denied visas for the United States. Iran is now expected to have a delegation at Friday's World Cup draw in Washington D.C. after all. Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donjamali told state news agency Irna on Thursday that head coach Amir Ghalenoei would attend."
"This comes almost a week after the Iranian FA (FFIRI) announced that it would boycott the draw in protest after learning that several members of its planned delegation had been denied entry visas for the United States. According to the English-language website Tehran Times, FFIRI President Mehdi Taj was among those who have been refused entry. In his statement Donjamali said that visas had now been issued, but it wasn't clear whether the FFIRI president would be part of the delegation."
Iran will be represented at the 2026 World Cup draw after visas were issued to delegation members. Sports Minister Ahmad Donjamali said head coach Amir Ghalenoei will attend. The Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) had announced a boycott after several delegation members were denied US entry visas, with FFIRI President Mehdi Taj reportedly refused entry. Donjamali said visas were issued but Taj's participation was unclear. US–Iran diplomatic ties have been severed since 1980 and a US entry ban on Iranian citizens remains, with exceptions for athletes and staff. Iranian and Haitian fans would be barred from traveling to the United States.
Read at www.dw.com
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