Palestinian football chief denied U.S. visa for World Cup

The head of the Palestinian Football Association, Jibril Rajoub, has been denied a visa to enter the United States, preventing him from attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches there. Rajoub, who holds official FIFA accreditation, attended the tournament's opening match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City on Thursday, June 11, but remains there awaiting permission to travel to the U.S. He is among several accredited delegates, including a referee from Somalia and a photographer traveling with Iraq's team, who have been denied visas or have yet to receive them.

Rajoub described the denial as unfair and politically motivated, contrasting it with his ability to attend the 2018 World Cup in Russia without diplomatic obstacles. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said this week that the organization had been trying to resolve visa issues but could not overrule the U.S. government. The U.S. State Department had no immediate comment on Rajoub's case, but last year implemented new restrictions on Palestinian passport holders, including on anyone employed by the Palestinian Authority. The department also revoked a visa for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to travel to the...