"A spokesman for the Iranian Football Association (FFIRI) announced on Friday that it would not be sending a delegation to Washington, DC, for the draw for the group stage of next year's World Cup. "We have informed FIFA that the decisions taken have nothing to do with sports and the members of the Iranian delegation will not participate in the World Cup draw," FFIRI spokesman Amir Mahdi Alavi told state television."
"As things stand, Iranian football fans would not be allowed to travel to the United States to support their team during the World Cup. This also applies to fans from Haiti, which has also qualified for the World Cup. However, the travel ban does not affect the national team players and coaches of these countries. The Trump executive order makes exceptions for, among others,"
Iran will boycott the 2026 World Cup group-stage draw after several planned delegation members were denied visas to enter the United States. The Iranian Football Federation announced no delegation will travel to Washington, DC. FFIRI spokesman Amir Mahdi Alavi said the decision was a protest against visa refusals. Tehran Times reported FFIRI President Mehdi Taj among those refused entry. A US executive order imposes a general entry ban on Iranian citizens but exempts athletes, team members, coaches, necessary support persons, and immediate relatives for major sporting events. Iranian fans, and similarly Haitian fans, would not be allowed to travel to the United States for the tournament.
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