Norwegian passport holder denied US entry for World Cup, suspects birthplace is reason

Sarmed Saify, a 38-year-old player developer for Norwegian football club Rosenborg, found himself unexpectedly barred from traveling to the United States for the World Cup, a trip he had eagerly anticipated to see his adopted country play his country of origin.

Saify, who fled war-torn Iraq as a child and has held a Norwegian passport for nearly two decades, was denied an electronic travel authorization (ESTA) for his trip. The denial, stating "Travel not authorized," left him bewildered. The U.S. embassy did not provide a specific reason, but Saify suspects his birthplace, Iraq, listed as 'IRQ' in his passport, is the sole cause, even though Iraq is not among the countries with U.S. entry bans.

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I was completely taken aback. I felt embarrassed and strange. It feels very unfair. So it's not that I'm asking for sympathy, that's important to say. But it's probably many who experience the same thing. It's just sad that it has become this way.

He answered truthfully during the ESTA application process, stating he had not visited Iraq since 2011 and did not hold dual citizenship. Saify has never returned to Iraq since his family's escape. "I was completely taken aback. I felt embarrassed and strange. It feels very unfair," he told VG. "It's not that I'm asking for sympathy, that's important to say. But many probably experience the same thing. It's just sad that it has become this way."

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There is nothing that brings people together more than a football World Cup. For me, the pitch has been a sanctuary all these years of fleeing, and I still have that same feeling. My focus is always on the human being, and I try to give the boys the same feeling: that on the pitch, it is safe and good.

Saify's experience highlights the complexities of U.S. travel policies, which have been a subject of debate, particularly concerning entry bans for citizens of certain nations. While Iraq is not on the list of banned countries, Saify's situation suggests that individuals with ties to such nations may face additional scrutiny or arbitrary denials.

As a football coach, Saify emphasizes the unifying power of the sport. "There is nothing that brings people together more than a football World Cup," he said. "For me, the pitch has been a sanctuary all these years of fleeing, and I still have that same feeling. My focus is always on the human being, and I try to give the boys the same feeling: that on the pitch, it is safe and good." He finds it deeply saddening that a sport he views as a source of joy is now contributing to division and exclusion, referencing the struggles of Iraqi player Aymen Hussein, whose family has also been affected by violence.

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What brings so much joy is now helping to divide people again. You make distinctions and exclude people. It is extremely sad, says Saify.