Trump administration lifts Iran's visa ban for World Cup draw

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FILE-The FIFA World Cup Trophy is seen at the United States Capitol ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw on December 03, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Iran is attending the FIFA World Cup 2026 draw on Friday in Washington, D.C. after the country’s football team previously announced that they were boycotting the event. 

The Trump administration secured new approvals for the delegation, allowing Iran’s head coach Ardeshir Amir Ghalenoei and other officials to participate in the ceremony, Newsweek reported. 

RELATED: How to watch the 2026 World Cup Draw today

Last week, the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) said it would not take part in the draw ceremony after some members of its delegation were denied U.S. visas.

FIFA statement on Iran

What they're saying:

In a statement from FIFA obtained by Reuters, the international governing body for soccer (football) wrote "FIFA has welcomed the arrival of the Islamic Republic of Iran Football Federation delegation to Washington, DC, including head coach Ardeshir Amir Ghalenoei, to attend the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw and the team seminar."

"FIFA looks forward to continue to work with the Federation and the host country authorities to ensure preparations for their participation at the FIFA World Cup 2026 next summer," according to the statement. 

In June, the Trump administration announced a travel ban on citizens from 12 countries, including Iran. The list also included Haiti, which qualified for the World Cup.

RELATED: Iran boycotting 2026 World Cup draw ceremony in Washington due to denied visas

 Exemptions, however, were promised for "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."

How the World Cup Draw works

Big picture view:

The draw will finalize the group stage for the first 48-team World Cup, setting the stage for the largest and most ambitious tournament in FIFA history.

RELATED: What nations are in the World Cup draw?

48 teams will be split into 12 groups (A–L) of four teams each.

• The top two teams from each group and the eight best third-place teams advance to the Round of 32.
• Teams are separated into four pots, based on their FIFA World Ranking (as of November 2025).
• One team is drawn from each pot to form every group, ensuring that no two teams from the same confederation (except Europe) are drawn together.

The format is designed to increase global representation while maintaining competitive balance — and to guarantee at least three matches for every team.

How many teams are in the 2026 World Cup?

Dig deeper:

Approximately 48 teams will participate in the June 11-July 19 World Cup co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Six of the teams will be determined next March.

The championship will take place at MetLife Stadium, the home of the New York Giants and Jets, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The first will be at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

Additionally, games will be played in the Boston area, but Trump has threatened to take games out of Foxoborough, Massachusetts if "there's unsafe conditions," FOX News reported.