WANA (Oct 04) – The U.S. State Department has rejected visa applications for a nine-member Iranian football delegation, including Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, and national team coach Amir Ghalenoei, effectively ruling out their participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw ceremony in Washington, D.C.
The decision, first reported by Sports Business Journal, comes despite an executive order signed earlier this year by U.S. President Donald Trump, which banned travel from 12 countries, including Iran, but carved out exceptions for major sporting events such as the World Cup and the Olympic Games.
According to the report, the U.S. declined to issue visas to Taj, Ghalenoei, and seven additional federation members who had sought to attend the December 5 draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington.
Victor Montagliani, FIFA vice president and president of CONCACAF, sought to reassure that the U.S. government’s visa restrictions would not prevent Iran’s national team from competing in the tournament itself. Speaking in London, he said the location of Iran’s matches will be determined solely by the December draw, not by geopolitical considerations.
“We have received assurances from all three host governments — the United States, Canada, and Mexico — that qualified teams will be allowed entry and participation in the tournament,” Montagliani emphasized. “With all due respect to the world’s political leaders, football is bigger than them. The game will outlast regimes, governments, and their slogans.”
Montagliani also addressed speculation about the possible exclusion of the Israeli Football Association from international competitions, clarifying that any such decision would fall under UEFA’s jurisdiction rather than FIFA’s.
The FIFA World Cup Trophy sits on a stand during an unveiling ceremony in Tehran, Iran, September 1, 2022. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)