Iran abandons boycott World Cup A draw for team representatives to attend the glitzy event in Washington on Friday.
Last week, the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) said he would stay away after three members of her delegation were denied visas to enter the United States.
However, Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali told Iranian news agency Irna on Thursday that head coach Amir Galenoi will be among those present. “Our representatives have a visa and must participate in the World Cup draw,” he said.
The Tehran Times suggested that Galenoi would travel to the US with Omid Jamali, the federation's head of international relations.
Iran is one of 19 countries whose citizens have been restricted from entering the US following a directive issued by Donald Trump in June. An exception to the ban was granted to athletes, coaches or “persons in a necessary support role” who were traveling to the World Championships. The Iranian federation said last week it had applied for seven visas but three names were rejected by the US, including FFIRI President Mehdi Taj.
Concerns remain over the possible impact of the travel ban on fans from Iran and Haiti, who are also on the list to attend next year's tournament. FIFA has confirmed the creation of the Fifa Pass, a scheme that will give World Cup ticket holders priority access to the visa application process ahead of the tournament. But the success of applications is not guaranteed.
This week, a number of human rights groups raised concerns about possible mistreatment of overseas or minority fans at the World Cup. “The Trump administration is aggressively pursuing a systematic human rights campaign to harass, detain and disappear immigrants in communities across the United States, including deploying the National Guard to World Cup host cities,” said Jamil Dakwar, human rights director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
A U.S. State Department spokesman said regarding the World Cup visa process: “We are doing everything possible to support the success of the World Cup. At the same time, the Trump Administration will not hesitate to uphold U.S. law and the highest standards of national security and public safety in conducting our visa process. We generally will not comment on the Department's actions on specific cases.”
