The Iranian Football Federation announced on November 28 that it will skip the FIFA World Cup 2026 final-draw ceremony in Washington, D.C. because key officials have not received U.S. visas. Federation spokesman Amir-Mahdi Alavi told state media that repeated follow-ups with the U.S. Embassy yielded “no assurance” that visas would be issued in time for the December 5 event at the Kennedy Center.
The United States has maintained a partial travel ban on Iranian nationals since June 2025 but had signalled willingness to grant case-by-case waivers for athletes and essential support staff attending major sporting events. Iranian officials argue that the draw is integral to tournament logistics and should qualify for the exemption. FIFA has been asked to intervene but has yet to comment publicly.
![Iran to Boycott 2026 World Cup Draw in Washington Citing US Visa Denials]()
The episode highlights the diplomatic ripple effects of U.S. visa policies. While Iran’s 2026 squad and coaching staff expect to receive visas for the tournament itself, missing the draw could hamper commercial negotiations with sponsors and make it harder for Iran to finalize pre-tournament training camps in North America.
For mobility managers coordinating sports-related travel or sponsorship activations, the message is clear: waiver requests must be filed early and accompanied by detailed itineraries and letters of support. The State Department has indicated that each traveller will be vetted under enhanced security protocols and that prior issuance of a B-1/B-2 visa does not guarantee future approvals under the proclamation.
If Iran follows through with its boycott, FIFA may need to conduct the draw remotely — an unprecedented step that could set a precedent for other countries facing entry restrictions.
The United States has maintained a partial travel ban on Iranian nationals since June 2025 but had signalled willingness to grant case-by-case waivers for athletes and essential support staff attending major sporting events. Iranian officials argue that the draw is integral to tournament logistics and should qualify for the exemption. FIFA has been asked to intervene but has yet to comment publicly.
The episode highlights the diplomatic ripple effects of U.S. visa policies. While Iran’s 2026 squad and coaching staff expect to receive visas for the tournament itself, missing the draw could hamper commercial negotiations with sponsors and make it harder for Iran to finalize pre-tournament training camps in North America.
For mobility managers coordinating sports-related travel or sponsorship activations, the message is clear: waiver requests must be filed early and accompanied by detailed itineraries and letters of support. The State Department has indicated that each traveller will be vetted under enhanced security protocols and that prior issuance of a B-1/B-2 visa does not guarantee future approvals under the proclamation.
If Iran follows through with its boycott, FIFA may need to conduct the draw remotely — an unprecedented step that could set a precedent for other countries facing entry restrictions.
