Head of Palestinian Football Not Granted US Visa to Attend World Cup

Jibril Rajoub, the head of the Palestinian Football Association, finds himself in Mexico City, awaiting a U.S. visa that has so far been denied, barring him from attending the opening of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Rajoub, a prominent Palestinian political figure, was present for the opening match between Mexico and South Africa on Thursday but is among several accredited individuals who have been refused entry into the United States.

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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.

Expressing his frustration, Rajoub stated in an interview with The Associated Press, “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.” FIFA, while inviting heads of football associations worldwide to the event as a symbol of global unity, acknowledged that visa issues are a challenge. FIFA President Gianni Infantino previously assured that "Everyone will be welcome in Canada, Mexico and the United States for the FIFA World Cup next year." However, this assurance appears to have been undermined by U.S. government actions.

The United States has recently denied entry to delegates from various countries, including a referee from Somalia and a photographer accompanying Iraq’s team. Infantino admitted this week that FIFA is working to resolve these visa problems but cannot override governmental decisions, stating, “We need to respect that we are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces.” The U.S. State Department has not yet commented on Rajoub's specific visa case. However, last year, the U.S. imposed new restrictions on Palestinian passport holders, including those employed by the Palestinian Authority, and previously revoked a visa that would have allowed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to attend the United Nations General Assembly.

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Everyone will be welcome in Canada, Mexico and the United States for the FIFA World Cup next year. We are working exactly for that.

Rajoub and other Palestinian football officials have consistently accused Israel of violating statutes by permitting teams from settlements in the occupied West Bank to compete in Israel's national league. They have urged FIFA to sanction Israel and have decried the restrictions placed on Palestinian players' movement, as well as the destruction of 80% of sports facilities in Gaza due to the ongoing war. Rajoub notably refused to shake hands with the head of Israel's football federation recently, explaining that such a gesture would not heal wounds but rather legitimize Israel's actions. He also pointed out that Russia did not impose similar visa restrictions when it hosted the 2018 World Cup.

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We need to respect that we are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces.