Palestinian Football Association president Jibril Rajoub said he could not enter the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a visa denial or delay. Body paragraphs.
Rajoub was in Mexico City after attending the June 11 opening match between Mexico and South Africa.
He said he was still waiting for permission to enter the US with other 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.
Palestine did not qualify for the World Cup. However, FIFA usually invites presidents of member federations to attend the tournament.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said last year that everyone would be welcome in Canada, Mexico and the United States for the World Cup.
This week, he said FIFA could not override decisions by governments and police authorities.
Several accredited World Cup delegates have faced US entry problems. They include a referee from Somalia and a photographer travelling with Iraq’s national team.
Read: Jibril Rajoub FIFA Photo With Israeli Official Refused
The US State Department did not immediately comment on Rajoub’s case. Washington introduced restrictions last year affecting Palestinian passport holders and people linked to the Palestinian Authority.
Rajoub has pushed FIFA to act against Israeli clubs based in occupied West Bank settlements. The Palestinian Football Association also says Gaza’s sports facilities suffered severe damage during the war.
