Iran Takes Stand Against US Visa Policy
Iran's national football federation has announced it will boycott the draw ceremony for next year's World Cup in protest against what it describes as restrictive visa policies by the United States government. The dramatic decision comes after American authorities granted only four visas to members of the Iranian delegation scheduled to attend next Friday's event in Washington.
Limited Access for Key Officials
According to reports from Iranian sports news outlet Tarafdari, federation spokesperson Amir Mehdi Alavi confirmed that while head coach Amir Ghalenoei received permission to travel, federation president Mehdi Taj was among those denied entry. The United States maintains long-standing strict visa restrictions on Iranian citizens for political and security reasons, though Iranian officials had expected exemptions for the sporting event.
Alavi expressed the federation's position clearly, stating that "given that the decisions taken are unsportsmanlike and the path has deviated from the sporting process, it was decided that the Iranian delegation will not attend the draw ceremony." The spokesperson emphasised that the move represents a principled stand against what Iran perceives as the politicisation of sport.
FIFA Involvement and Qualification Background
The Iranian football authorities have been in direct communication with FIFA regarding the situation and have informed president Gianni Infantino of their decision. Alavi noted that "FIFA has said it will follow up on the matter seriously," indicating potential further discussions at the international football governance level.
Iran secured their place in the World Cup tournament back in March following a 2-2 draw with Uzbekistan in Tehran. This achievement marks their seventh appearance in the global competition and their fourth consecutive qualification, underscoring their established position in international football.
The boycott decision raises questions about how diplomatic tensions between nations can impact international sporting events, particularly as the United States is set to co-host the 2026 World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico.
