Palestinian FA Chief Denied US Visa for World Cup
Rajoub attended the tournament's opening match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City on Thursday but remains among a growing number of accredited participants who have either been denied US visas outright or are still awaiting approval — with the FIFA Congress and other official obligations hanging in the balance.
In an exclusive statement to media from Mexico, Rajoub said he had received no clearance to enter the United States despite his unambiguous entitlement to participate in World Cup activities as head of the Palestinian Football Association.
"I believe that FIFA regulations, or at least its traditions, require any country hosting a global event to honor its obligations toward that event by facilitating the entry of everyone connected to it," Rajoub said.
'A Right, Not a Favor'
Rajoub was unequivocal in framing the issue as a matter of legal obligation rather than diplomatic goodwill, insisting that host nations bear a binding responsibility to facilitate access for all accredited participants — including federation presidents attending the FIFA Congress.
"This is not a favor on their part; it is a right, and they are obligated to uphold it," he said.
He argued that the US government's conduct was actively undermining the foundational principles of hosting a global sporting event.
"Through this behavior, they are stripping themselves of the moral right to host such a major sporting event," he said.
Rajoub also indicated that his case was far from isolated, suggesting that a wider pattern of exclusion was quietly taking shape.
"Up to this moment, I have not received approval to enter, and I believe I am not the only one. There are many others facing the same problem," he said.
A Blow to Sport's Unifying Mission
Elevating the stakes beyond individual visa disputes, Rajoub argued that the US approach posed a direct threat to the values that international sport is built upon — and that the World Cup, by definition, belongs to the world.
"I see this as a sign of disrespect not only toward FIFA, but also toward the sporting message that unites people and builds bridges between them. In the end, this is a global event, not an event that belongs solely to the United States," he said.
A Pattern of Exclusion Emerging
Rajoub's remarks come amid a widening controversy over US visa practices ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the United States is co-hosting alongside Canada and Mexico.
Earlier this month, officials from Iran's Football Federation disclosed that they had yet to receive US visas to attend World Cup-related activities. In a separate incident, Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was unable to travel to the US to officiate at the FIFA Club World Cup after his visa application was not processed in time — despite a formal appointment by FIFA for the tournament.
Concerns have also emerged over fan access, with early reports suggesting that supporters from several nations — including Ivory Coast — may face significant barriers to attending matches due to US visa restrictions and entry requirements.
With the tournament now underway and logistical deadlines closing fast, pressure is mounting on Washington to reconcile its entry policies with the obligations it assumed when it bid to host football's most prestigious global stage.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
