Palestinian Football Association President Jibril Rajoub says he was denied a visa to enter the United States and therefore could not attend FIFA World Cup activities hosted there. The incident comes amid a series of visa-related controversies surrounding the tournament.
Rajoub was already in Mexico City and attended the opening match of the World Cup, but was unable to continue to the United States.
Rajoub Criticizes the Decision
In an interview, Rajoub said: “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.”
Although the Palestinian national team did not qualify for the World Cup, FIFA traditionally invites the heads of football associations from around the world as part of its effort to promote global unity through sport.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino acknowledged the situation, noting that FIFA cannot override immigration decisions made by sovereign governments. Visa approvals remain the responsibility of the host nation.
Growing Visa Controversies
Rajoub’s case is not isolated. Several World Cup participants and officials have faced visa or entry difficulties in recent weeks. Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry despite holding a valid visa, while a number of Iranian football officials also reported visa problems.
Rajoub has long been a prominent figure in Palestinian football and has repeatedly called for action against Israel within international sporting bodies. He has frequently criticized Israeli policies related to sports and football administration.
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