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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Paul MacInnes

Iran to boycott World Cup draw over lack of visa for federation president

World Cup Iran Amir Ghalenoei Donald Trump Gianni Infantino FFIRI Fifa Football Mehdi Taj United States
Iran’s head coach, Amir Ghalenoei, on the touchline for March's qualifier with the UAE
Iran’s head coach, Amir Ghalenoei, is one of four people from the country granted a visa for next Friday’s World Cup draw in Washington. Photograph: Majid Asgaripour/Reuters

Iran are to boycott next week’s World Cup draw in Washington after the president of the country’s football federation was denied a visa to enter the United States.

A spokesperson for the Iranian football federation (FFIRI) described the decision to reject the visa application as “unrelated to sport” and the move raises the prospect of Iran withdrawing from the tournament altogether.

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