The Iranian Football Association is now sending a delegation to the World Cup draw in the USA. After issuing visas, head coach Amir Ghalenoei will travel to Washington, Iran’s Sports Minister Ahmad Donjamali said, according to the state agency Irna.
The association actually wanted to boycott participation in the draw this Friday in protest against entry restrictions.
At the beginning of October it became known that Iran’s association head Mehdi Taj, coach Ghalenoei and seven other officials would be refused entry. It remained unclear whether Taj had also received a visa.
What Trump has to do with the case
US President Donald Trump has imposed an entry ban on people from several countries, including Iran, whose national team has qualified for the World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico. With a view to the World Cup and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, the US President’s order also states that there should be exceptions to the ban for athletes, coaches, supervisors and direct relatives.
Iran and the United States have not had diplomatic relations for more than 45 years. This summer, the United States bombed key nuclear facilities in Iran and joined Israel’s war against the country. After twelve days a ceasefire was agreed.