Iran will participate in the FIFA World Cup draw for soccer, scheduled to take place on Friday in Washington, clearly reversing its previous decision to boycott after the United States refused to issue visas to several members of its delegation.
A spokesman for the Iranian Football Federation said on Wednesday, in a statement to state television: Amir Qal'at Noui, the coach of the Iranian national team, will participate in the World Cup draw as a technical representative of the team, along with one or two other people.
The Iranian Federation had announced through a spokesman that it had informed its international counterpart (FIFA) of the non-participation of the Iranian delegation in the draw, due to the United States' refusal to grant visas to several members of the delegation.
Previously, the website "Varzish 3" indicated that Mehdi Taj, the head of the federation, was among those who did not obtain a visa.
Taj said: We informed President Infantino that this is a purely political stance, and that FIFA should demand (the United States) to stop this behavior.
According to the website "Varzish 3", visas were granted to four members of the delegation.
Iran had qualified for the finals, which are to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, in March, making its seventh appearance in the global tournament.
