Iran Boycott 2026 World Cup Draw Over US Visas

By Daniel Orton

Editor, Live News

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Iran will boycott the World Cup finals draw in Washington, D.C. next week after the U.S. denied visas to several members of its delegation, the country’s soccer federation said Friday, according to AFP.

"We have informed FIFA that the decisions taken have nothing to do with sports and the members of the Iranian delegation will not participate in the World Cup draw," a spokesperson told state television.

The U.S. refused to issue visas to several members of the delegation, including federation president Mehdi Taj, according to a report earlier this week from Iranian sports outlet Varzesh 3.

...

Who Has Qualified For The 2026 World Cup?

The tournament will feature 48 teams for the first time and will be hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. (all automatically qualified).

Host Nations (3)

• Canada
• Mexico
• USA

Asia (AFC) – 8 teams

• Australia
• Iran
• Japan
• Jordan (first-ever World Cup)
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• South Korea
• Uzbekistan (first-ever World Cup)

Africa (CAF) – 9 teams

• Algeria
• Cape Verde (first-ever World Cup)
• Egypt
• Ghana
• Ivory Coast
• Morocco
• Senegal
• South Africa
• Tunisia

Europe (UEFA) – 12 teams so far

• Austria
• Belgium
• Croatia
• England
• France
• Germany
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Portugal
• Scotland
• Spain
• Switzerland

Four European spots will be decided in UEFA playoffs in March next year.

South America (CONMEBOL) – 6 teams

• Argentina
• Brazil
• Colombia
• Ecuador
• Paraguay
• Uruguay

Oceania (OFC) – 1 team

• New Zealand

North & Central America / Caribbean (CONCACAF) – 3 teams

• Panama
• Haiti (first time since 1974)
• Curaçao (first-ever World Cup)

Two spots will come from the Intercontinental Playoff featuring:

• Bolivia (South America)
• DR Congo (Africa)
• Iraq (Asia)
• Jamaica & Suriname (CONCACAF)
• New Caledonia (Oceania)

This is a developing news story. Updates to follow.

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