Palestinian football chief says US denied him World Cup visa

The head of the Palestinian Football Association says he has been unable to enter the United States to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being denied a visa, highlighting concerns over access for accredited delegates at the tournament.

Jibril Rajoub, president of the Palestinian Football Association, is currently in Mexico City, where he attended Thursday's (June 11) opening match between Mexico and South Africa, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

He said he is still awaiting permission to enter the United States alongside other football federation officials invited to the tournament.

“I don’t believe that it’s fair to use or to abuse and deny the right of all footballers all over the world to attend,” Rajoub told the Associated Press.

Although the Palestinian national team did not qualify for the World Cup, FIFA traditionally invites the heads of football associations from around the world to attend the competition, which it describes as a celebration of global unity.

“Everyone will be welcome in Canada, Mexico and the United States for the FIFA World Cup next year. We are working exactly for that,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said last year.

The United States has reportedly refused entry to several accredited World Cup delegates from different countries, including a referee from Somalia and a photographer travelling with Iraq's national team.

Speaking this week, Infantino acknowledged ongoing visa difficulties but said FIFA could not override decisions made by national authorities.

“We need to respect that we are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces,” he told reporters on Wednesday.

The US State Department did not immediately comment on Rajoub's case. Last year, Washington introduced new restrictions affecting Palestinian passport holders, including individuals who had worked for the Palestinian Authority. The United States also revoked a visa that would have allowed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to attend the United Nations General Assembly in September.

Rajoub has long campaigned for FIFA action against Israel, arguing that Israeli football clubs based in settlements in the occupied West Bank should not participate in Israel's domestic league. Palestinian football officials have also criticised restrictions on player movement and the impact of the war in Gaza on sports infrastructure.

According to the Palestinian Football Association, around 80% of sports facilities in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed, while at least 565 players have been killed during the conflict.

Last month, Rajoub declined a request from Infantino to shake hands with the head of Israel's football federation, saying such a gesture would not help heal divisions and would instead whitewash Israel's actions.

Rajoub also noted that Russia did not impose similar visa restrictions on invited guests when it hosted the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

By Aghakazim Guliyev