Iran set to boycott FIFA World Cup draw in protest of travel ban for the Iranians in Trump’s new policies.
Iran to boycott World Cup draw over lack of visa for federation president.
Iran’s football federation president was refused a visa to enter the United States, therefore the country will boycott the World Cup draw in Washington next week.
The decision to deny the visa application is “unrelated to sport,” according to a representative for the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI), and it increases the possibility that Iran may withdraw from the competition entirely.
Since Donald Trump issued a proclamation in June, citizens of 19 countries, including Iran, are prohibited from entering the United States. Athletes, coaches, or “persons performing a necessary support role” who were travelling for the World Cup or “other major sporting event” were exempt from the prohibition, but it doesn’t seem to have applied in this case.
In the past, Infantino has promised that “everyone will be welcome” at the World Cup, which starts on June 11 in Mexico City. Speaking on the fringes of a session of the European Football Clubs organisation on October 9, he attempted to allay worries that officials or athletes might not be granted visas.
“We have excellent discussions with the US government. There is a White House task force chaired by President Trump, and all these topics are discussed there,” Infantino said. “With all the relevant secretaries of state, there will be no issues with regard to visas, obviously for the participating teams and delegations, and we are working on something as well for fans. Hopefully, some good news will come out very soon.”