Iran says it plans to boycott Friday’s 2026 World Cup draw in the United States due to the limited number of visas issued for its delegation.

According to the Tehran Times, the U.S. has granted only four visas to Iranian officials, excluding Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI). Taj confirmed he had raised the matter directly with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

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“We are evaluating our options, which will depend on timing and circumstances,” Taj told Iranian television.

“We remain in close communication with the Iranian foreign ministry and other authorities, and we will take the necessary decision at the appropriate time.

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“The current position of the Iran Football Federation executive committee is that no one will attend the event unless all visas are issued.”

The draw is scheduled for Friday, 5 December, in Washington.

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Iran have qualified for their seventh World Cup finals and fourth consecutive appearance. However, the U.S., co-hosting the 2026 tournament alongside Canada and Mexico, maintains strict visa rules for Iranian nationals due to long-standing political and security tensions.

In June, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning nationals from 12 countries from entering the U.S., citing security concerns.

Iran is among the nations affected, though the order supposedly exempts athletes and coaching staff travelling for global sporting events such as the World Cup and the 2028 Olympics.