Iranian Football Federation Misses AFC Congress in Vancouver After Visa Complications

Iranian football executives were notably absent from Tuesday's AFC Congress held in Vancouver, their empty seats serving as a stark reminder of the current geopolitical tensions affecting international football.

AFC general secretary Windsor John acknowledged the absence during roll call, explaining that "the Football Federation of Islamic Republic of Iran is unable to attend the 36th AFC Congress 2026 due to some visa formalities issues." The commemorative shields meant for nations qualifying for the 2026 World Cup will be presented to Iranian representatives "once they arrive" — though that remains uncertain.

Ongoing Visa Challenges for Iranian Delegates

This marks another instance in a pattern of border access issues for Iranian football officials. In December, ahead of the World Cup draw in Washington D.C., several Iranian delegates faced visa denials, nearly triggering a full delegation boycott before a reduced group managed to attend. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the matter directly last week, citing concerns about potential IRGC connections among officials and support personnel. "What they can't bring is a bunch of IRGC terrorists into our country," Rubio stated.

While athletes, coaches, and essential support staff appear protected under exemptions in Trump's travel restrictions, the definition of "executive" versus "support staff" remains ambiguous. These determinations fall under U.S. authority discretion, creating significant uncertainty for delegations planning their World Cup preparations.

Iran has secured qualification for the tournament, but whether officials beyond the playing squad will be able to participate remains unresolved.

Multiple Federations Encountered Entry Obstacles

Palestine's vice president Susan Shalabi revealed that between 10 and 12 football federations experienced visa complications. The Palestinian Football Association's president, general secretary, and legal counsel were all initially refused entry. Only after political intervention, social media advocacy, and media scrutiny did the Canadian government overturn these decisions — though PFA president Jibril Rajoub still missed Tuesday's AFC session and is only expected to arrive for Thursday's FIFA Congress.

"Let's hope we don't face problems" moving forward, Shalabi remarked when questioned about future World Cup travel. Such uncertainty is particularly troubling for officials representing regions experiencing active conflict.

The implications extend beyond Iran and Palestine. Trump has recently expanded the travel ban to include Senegal and Ivory Coast — both World Cup qualifiers. While exemptions for athletes officially exist, the consistency and scope of their application will ultimately determine whether teams arrive at full strength or face compromised preparations.

FIFA President Infantino delivered his message of unity, while AFC President Salman spoke of building bridges across divisions. Forty-six of the AFC's 47 member associations participated in the congress — some via Zoom, others in person, including representatives from nations currently experiencing war. The forty-seventh member's chairs remained vacant.