Palestine football chief says he wasn’t granted US visa to attend World Cup (opens original article in a new tab)

Palestine football chief Jibril Rajoub is awaiting a US visa to attend the 2026 World Cup, while the US has denied visas to some World Cup delegates. FIFA says it cannot overrule US visa decisions, and Palestinian officials continue to accuse Israel of violating football statutes.

• Palestine football chief Jibril Rajoub is waiting in Mexico for a US visa to attend the 2026 World Cup
• US has denied visas to some World Cup delegates including a Somali referee and an Iraqi photographer
• FIFA says it cannot overrule US visa decisions and aims to have all attendees welcome in Canada, Mexico, and the US
• US implemented new restrictions on Palestinian passport holders including those employed by the Palestinian Authority
• Palestinian officials accuse Israel of violating statutes by allowing West Bank settlement teams in its national league and seek FIFA sanctions