A replica of the FIFA World Cup 2026 ball, Trionda, is displayed in Zurich, Switzerland. (Claudio Thoma/Keystone/AP Dubai, United Arab Emirates AP —

Iran has decided to boycott the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington, DC next week because the US denied visas to members of its delegation, the state-run IRNA news agency reported on Friday.

The agency quoted Iranian soccer federation spokesman Amir-Mahdi Alavi as saying that officials faced visa obstacles that go beyond sports considerations.

There was no immediate comment from the White House.

Alavi said the federation had reached out to FIFA and hoped it could help resolve the issue. Soccer’s ruling body didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment.

President Donald Trump’s administration announced in June a travel ban on c

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