December 4, 2025 | 08:20 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Iran is now expected to have a delegation at Friday's World Cup draw in Washington D.C. after all. Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donjamali told state news agency Irna on Thursday that head coach Amir Ghalenoei would attend.
This comes almost a week after the Iranian FA (FFIRI) announced that it would boycott the draw in protest after learning that several members of its planned delegation had been denied entry visas for the United States.
According to the English-language website Tehran Times, FFIRI President Mehdi Taj was among those who have been refused entry. In his statement Donjamali said that visas had now been issued, but it wasn't clear whether the FFIRI president would be part of the delegation.
Iran and the US have been at loggerheads for decades, having broken off diplomatic relations in 1980. US President Donald Trump has imposed a general entry ban on Iranian citizens, with limited exceptions.
Iranian Fans to Be Excluded?
As things stand, Iranian football fans would not be allowed to travel to the United States to support their team during the World Cup. This also applies to fans from Haiti, which has also qualified for the World Cup.
However, the travel ban does not affect these countries' national team players and coaches. The Trump executive order makes exceptions for, among others, "any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives, traveling for the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting event as determined by the secretary of state."
Next summer's World Cup will mark Iran's fourth consecutive participation in the tournament and its seventh overall. The country has never advanced to the knockout stage, but it has faced the United States twice. Iran beat the US 2-1 in the group stage of the 1998 tournament in France. The United States got its revenge in 2022, beating Iran 1-0 in Qatar.
The 2026 World Cup, which is to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is to kick off on June 11, with the final to be played at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19.
Read: World Cup 2026 Draw: Trump, Infantino and a Peace Prize
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Iran Offers Humanitarian Assistance to Indonesia After Deadly Sumatra Floods
2 hari lalu
Iran expresses condolences for the Sumatra flood victims and offers assistance to Indonesia.
Iran Gasoline Price Hike Risks More Public Unrest
5 hari lalu
Empty state coffers, coupled with unchecked consumption and thriving smuggling, have forced the Iranian government to raise gasoline prices.
Indonesia-Iran Archival Exhibition in Jakarta Marks 75 Years of Diplomatic Ties
7 hari lalu
The 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Iran was marked by the opening of an archive exhibition at Taman Ismail Marzuki, showcasing the journey of the two countries' relationship since 1950.
Iranian Ambassador Confirms Prabowo's Official Visit Invitation to Tehran
7 hari lalu
Iran expresses hope for President Prabowo Subianto to make a state visit to Tehran, following an official invitation received by Indonesia.
Indonesia Finish Second at 2025 Asia Oceania Cerebral Palsy Football Championship
11 hari lalu
Indonesia, as the finalist of the IFCPF Asia Oceania Cerebral Palsy Football Championship 2025, is entitled to a ticket to the IFCPF World Cup 2026.
US, Israel Accuse Iran of Plot to Assassinate Israeli Ambassador in Mexico
26 hari lalu
Mexico's Foreign Ministry said it had "not received any information" regarding the alleged Iranian assassination plot.
Iran Says It's No Longer Bound by Nuclear Deal Limits
46 hari lalu
The JCPOA imposed significant restrictions on Iran, in exchange for sanctions relief, to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons.
Tehran Says U.S. Plans to Deport Hundreds of Iranian Citizens
1 Oktober 2025
An official from the Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that the Trump administration plans to deport about 400 Iranian citizens.
UN Sanctions on Iran Come Into Effect
28 September 2025
Iran has recalled its ambassadors to Germany, France, and the UK for consultations.
UN Reinstates Sanctions on Iran Over Nuclear Program
27 September 2025
UN sanctions will be reimposed on Iran after it fails to convince Western countries about its nuclear program.
