PLDC - Iran’s football federation has decided not to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw in Washington, D.C., after several senior officials were refused U.S. visas.
Only four members of the Iranian delegation were granted visas: head coach Amir Ghalenoei, executive director Mehdi Kharati, director of international relations Omid Jamali, and spokesperson Amir Mehdi Alavi.
Visa applications for federation president Mehdi Taj, secretary general Mehdi Nabi, and Mehdi Malek-Abad were reportedly denied.
The federation stated that the issue is not related to football and confirmed that Iran will not take part in the draw ceremony.
Earlier this year, FIFA president Gianni Infantino had promised efforts to resolve visa-related problems for Iran’s delegation.
