The head of the Palestinian Football Association says he is still waiting for approval to enter the United States after being denied a visa to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite receiving official accreditation for the tournament.
Jibril Rajoub traveled to Mexico City and attended Thursday’s opening match between Mexico and South Africa. However, he remains unable to enter the US, one of the three host countries of the World Cup.
Rajoub is among several accredited football officials and delegates who have either been denied US visas or are still waiting for them.
Speaking to The Associated Press, Rajoub said it was unfair to prevent football representatives from attending one of the sport’s biggest global events.
Although the Palestinian national team failed to qualify for the World Cup, governing body FIFA traditionally invites the heads of football associations from around the world to attend the tournament as part of its efforts to promote international unity through football.
Last year, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said all visitors would be welcomed by the three host nations: Canada, Mexico and the United States.
However, the US has reportedly refused entry to delegates from several countries. Among them are a referee from Somalia and a photographer traveling with Iraq’s national team.
Infantino said this week that FIFA has been working to address visa-related problems but acknowledged that the organization cannot override decisions made by governments.
The US State Department did not immediately comment on Rajoub’s case. Last year, Washington introduced additional restrictions on Palestinian passport holders, including some people linked to the Palestinian Authority. It also revoked a visa that would have allowed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to attend the United Nations General Assembly in September.
Rajoub has long accused Israel of violating FIFA rules by allowing teams from settlements in the occupied West Bank to compete in its national league. Palestinian football officials have repeatedly urged FIFA to take action against Israel and have also criticized restrictions on Palestinian players and the destruction of sports facilities in the Gaza Strip during the ongoing conflict.
Last month, Rajoub declined to shake hands with the head of Israel’s football federation during a FIFA event, saying such a gesture would not address the suffering caused by the conflict.
He also noted that when Russia hosted the 2018 World Cup, invited guests and participants did not face similar visa restrictions.