Hadi Choopan, a former Mr. Olympia champion, will miss the 2026 Mr. Olympia competition after being barred from entering the United Arab Emirates, causing him to miss his scheduled interview appointment at the U.S. Embassy.
In a published message, the Iranian bodybuilder stated that he intended to travel to Dubai for his U.S. visa interview, but airport officials at Shiraz International Airport blocked him from boarding his flight.
According to Choopan, authorities informed him that his 10-year UAE Golden Visa had been “deactivated” and that he was denied entry into the country “due to current political conditions and restrictions.”
He subsequently attempted to travel to the UAE from Tehran, but that effort also failed. As a result, he missed his visa interview appointment at the U.S. Embassy in Dubai, leaving him unable to complete the required visa process to travel to Las Vegas.
Choopan expressed in his statement that he is withdrawing from Mr. Olympia “with a heavy heart.” However, his explanation makes clear that his absence from the competition is not a voluntary withdrawal, but rather the direct result of UAE entry restrictions and his inability to secure a U.S. visa.
In recent months, Choopan has faced widespread criticism from a segment of Iranian social media users, with critics accusing him of maintaining close ties to the Islamic Republic. Following the crackdown on the January 2026 protests, footage showing him celebrating on state television sparked intense backlash, though Choopan clarified that the segment had been recorded months earlier and offered an apology for its timing.
Reports also emerged of a mass unfollowing of Choopan’s Instagram account, alongside the removal of his images from several gyms across Iran. In response, Choopan maintained that he has no affiliation with any state entity.
Hadi Choopan won the Mr. Olympia title in 2022 and has competed in the event for seven consecutive years. The 2026 Mr. Olympia competition is scheduled to take place from September 24 to 27 in Las Vegas.
