TEHRAN - The U.S. has denied entry visas to a nine-member Iranian football delegation for next month’s draw for the 2026 World Cup. 
Amir-Mehdi Alawi, the spokesperson for the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI), said federation president Mehdi Taj, the head coach of the Iranian national football team, Amir Ghalenoei, and seven other officials, were among those barred from the event, which is expected to take place in Washington on December 5.
Taj is currently corresponding with Gianni Infantino, president of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), over the issue, he added, noting that the results of contacts will be determined within the next two weeks.
Alawi also rejected the visa refusal for lack of documents, saying the documents are still being sent and that the process will complete on Saturday.
The 2026 FIFA men’s World Cup will be held across 16 cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
It will be the 23rd edition of the tournament and first time a World Cup has been hosted by three countries.
The 2026 World Cup draw will determine the 12 groups of four teams, as well as where and when they will play in the group stage. It will take place during a ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, with team officials, ambassadors, fans representing the tournament’s host cities and global media representatives in attendance.
In June, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing a full travel ban on citizens from 12 countries, including Iran. He signed a similar travel ban in 2017 during his first term in office, sparking chaos and legal battles.
Trump’s racist measure fueled concerns about the participation of the already qualified Iran national team in the 2026 World Cup.