Iran will take part in the 2026 World Cup draw in the US on Friday, even though it earlier threatened to skip the event because of a visa dispute.
Iran asked for nine visas but only got four, and the head of Iran’s football federation, Mehdi Taj, was one of the people denied. Taj said that unless everyone received visas, no one from Iran would attend.
Despite that, Iran’s head coach, Amir Ghalenoi, and the federation’s international relations chief, Omid Jamali, have already travelled to the US, and more officials may join them. The draw will be held in Washington DC at 17:00 GMT on Friday.
Iran has made it to the World Cup for the seventh time and for the fourth time in a row. The US has strict visa rules for Iranians because of long-running political tensions.
Earlier this year, President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning people from 12 countries including Iran from entering the US, although athletes and coaches for major events like the World Cup and 2028 Olympics are supposed to be exempt.
