Iran say they plan to boycott Friday’s 2026 World Cup attract the USA due to the restricted variety of visas for his or her delegation.
In accordance with the Tehran Occasions, the US has issued 4 visas to Iran’s delegation, however they don’t embrace one for Mehdi Taj, the president of the nation’s soccer federation.
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Taj mentioned he had spoken to Fifa president Gianni Infantino concerning the concern.
“We’re evaluating our choices, which is able to depend upon timing and circumstances,” Taj mentioned in an interview with Iranian tv on Thursday.
“We stay in shut communication with the Iranian international ministry and different authorities, and we are going to take the mandatory determination on the acceptable time.
“The present place of the Iran Soccer Federation govt committee is that nobody will attend the occasion until all visas are issued.”
The draw is scheduled to happen in Washington DC on Friday, 5 December at 17:00 GMT (12:00 native time).
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BBC Sport has contacted Fifa for remark.
Iran have certified for his or her seventh World Cup finals and fourth in succession.
The US, which is co-hosting the 2026 event together with Canada and Mexico, has long-standing strict visa restrictions on Iranians for political and safety causes.
In June, US president Donald Trump banning nationals from 12 international locations from getting into America, citing an effort to handle safety threats.
Iran is among the many international locations affected by the ban, though the manager order is meant to exempt athletes and training workers travelling for the World Cup and 2028 Olympics.
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“It seems to us that the matter has turn out to be politicised,” mentioned Taj. “We knowledgeable the Fifa president, Mr. Infantino, that they’ve taken a political stance and the scenario is totally politicised.
“We imagine that Fifa ought to take a stand in opposition to such behaviour.”