Nation Makes Last Minute U-Turn on Attending World Cup Draw Despite Donald Trump Ban

A nation will no longer boycott the 2026 World Cup draw, despite several members of its planned delegation being denied visas, including the president of the country’s football federation.

The draw for the 2026 World Cup will take place in Washington on December 5 from 17:00 GMT.

So far, 42 nations have secured their places, while 22 nations are still in the running to claim one of the six remaining places that will be determined through the much-anticipated playoffs in March next year.

Among those taking part in the draw will be Iran, who qualified for their fourth successive World Cup amid the uncertainty around Donald Trump's travel ban.

Back in June, Trump's administration announced a travel ban on citizens from 12 countries, including Iran, with a proclamation claiming that the country is 'the source of significant terrorism around the world'.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino speaks during the Commercial Partners Summit in Washington on December 3. Image credit: Getty

Last month, a report from the Tehran Times claimed that the president of the Iranian football federation (FFIRI), Mehdi Taj, was one of three individuals denied a visa by the US state department.

A spokesperson for the FFIRI described the decision to reject the visa application as “unrelated to sport” and it was suggested that Iran would boycott the draw in Washington in protest.

“We have informed FIF that the decisions taken are unrelated to sport and that the members of the Iranian delegation will not participate in the World Cup draw,” said the federation spokesperson Amir Mehdi Alavi.

Alavi also noted that the federation had reached out to FIFA in hopes of finding a resolution to the issue.

And on Thursday, just hours before the draw in Washinton, a report from The Express claimed that a delegation from Iran will now attend the ceremony, despite the ongoing visa row.

Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoi and the head of international relations at the FFIRI, Omid Jamali, are said to have travelled to the United States. "It is hoped they will be joined by more delegates at the John F. Kennedy Center," added the report.

Mehdi Taj was one of three individuals denied a visa by the US state department. Image credit: Getty

For those wanting to travel and attend next summer's tournament, American embassies will give visa appointment priority to supporters with tickets, with the newly created FIFA Prioritised Appointment Scheduling System (Pass) set to make things smoother.

As mentioned in our report last month, there are concerns that Iranian supporters will face difficulties in entering the United States for the tournament itself.

The US has long-standing strict visa restrictions on Iranians for political and security reasons.