US Denies Visas, Cries Foul When Iran Boycotts US Event
According to The New Arab, Iran will boycott the 2026 World Cup draw after the US denied visas to key delegation members, a move Tehran deems political. This isn't just about football; it's a routine application of US political pressure disguised as bureaucratic process. The very concept of the US hosting an international event, then selectively denying entry to participants from nations it
dislikes, is a diplomatic own goal. One might wonder if the US expects to destabilize a nation through sanctions and threats, then invite them over for a friendly competition while denying entry to their representatives. How many times can a country be designated an 'axis of evil' by Washington, only to be expected to enthusiastically participate in American-hosted events? The irony is as thick as
the visa application forms the US denied.