The president of the Palestinian Football Association is currently in Mexico City, awaiting approval to enter the United States, alongside other federation leaders participating in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Djibril Rajoub joined the festivities for Thursday’s inaugural match, which featured Mexico and South Africa. Despite the excitement surrounding the event, he and several other individuals have either been denied U.S. visas or have yet to receive confirmation of entry, despite their participation in the World Cup.
In an interview with The Associated Press, the veteran Palestinian politician expressed concern over the situation, stating that it is unjust to deny soccer players worldwide the chance to participate in such a significant global event.
While the Palestinian national team did not qualify for the tournament, FIFA traditionally invites heads of soccer federations from around the globe to celebrate this international event, which symbolizes unity across nations.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized this sentiment last year, declaring that everyone would be welcomed in Canada, Mexico, and the United States during the World Cup. Infantino stated that efforts were ongoing to ensure this promise was fulfilled.
However, the U.S. has denied entry to multiple delegations, including a referee from Somalia and a photographer supporting the Iraqi team, underscoring challenges faced by various attendees.
Visa Concerns Persist Despite FIFA Efforts
This week, Infantino acknowledged FIFA’s efforts to address the visa challenges but recognized the limitations of FIFA’s influence over U.S. government policies. He remarked that the organization is not in a position to dictate government protocols.
The U.S. State Department has not yet commented on Rajoub’s visa status. Last year, it implemented new regulations affecting Palestinian passport holders, particularly those affiliated with the Palestinian Authority. In a notable incident, the U.S. revoked Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s visa, preventing his attendance at the United Nations General Assembly.
Markwayne Mullin, the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary, stated on Thursday that they are in regular communication with FIFA to discuss the challenges that attendees face regarding visa applications. While efforts have been made to facilitate entry for individuals, he acknowledged that some would still be unable to obtain visas.
Rajoub and Palestinian soccer leaders have long contended that Israel’s policy of allowing teams from West Bank settlements to compete in Israeli leagues is unjust. Their association is urging FIFA to consider sanctions against Israel due to these ongoing issues, while also highlighting constraints on the mobility of Palestinian players and the devastating impact of the conflict in Gaza, which has significantly affected sports infrastructure and resulted in the deaths of numerous athletes.
In a recent dispute, Rajoub declined to shake hands with the head of the Israel Football Federation under the direction of Infantino, arguing that such gestures would not resolve tensions but merely obscure Israel’s actions.
He further pointed out that during the 2018 World Cup held in Russia, there were no comparable visa restrictions imposed on attendees, prompting questions about the current situation.
