Iran coach Ardeshir Amir Ghalenoei arrived in Washington with a delegation from the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran ahead of Friday’s World Cup draw, FIFA said.
In a statement to Reuters, FIFA said it welcomed the delegation’s presence in the US capital as preparations continue for the expanded 48-team tournament next summer, to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Iran initially said it would boycott the Washington ceremony over visa issues.
While Iran had applied for nine visas for their delegation, Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) spokesperson Amir Mehdi Alavi said the US had granted four visas, including coach Ghalenoei.
Mehdi Taj, chairman of the FFIRI, was denied a visa.
The United States has long had strict visa restrictions on Iranians for political and security reasons.
READ ALSO | World Cup draw: Format, how it works, teams, pots, live streaming information
“FIFA has welcomed the arrival of the Islamic Republic of Iran Football Federation delegation to Washington, DC, including head coach Ardeshir Ghalehnoy, to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup final draw and team seminar,” the statement said.
“FIFA looks forward to continuing to work with the Federation and host country authorities to ensure preparations for their participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup next summer.”
Iran secured qualification through the Asian qualifiers earlier this year and will discover its group stage opponents at the draw later on Friday at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Published on December 5, 2025
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x268:751x270)/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-122424-55d63ed8c7e64f80b5b2f80b80e6eb44.jpg?w=238&resize=238,178&ssl=1 "Justin Baldoni confirma que le dijo a la embarazada Blake Lively que estaba circuncidado")
