Palestine football chief says he wasn’t granted US visa to attend World Cup

Coverage Comparison

Reports from Al Jazeera and The Guardian both detail that Jibril Rajoub, the head of the Palestinian Football Association, has been unable to secure a US visa to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite being in Mexico City for the opening match. Both outlets note that he is among several accredited delegates who have faced visa denials or delays from the United States.

According to both reports, Rajoub attended Thursday's opening match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City. He told the Associated Press that he believes it is unfair to "use or to abuse and deny the right of all footballers all over the world to attend" the World Cup.

The two sources also mention that FIFA typically invites heads of football associations from around the world to the World Cup, framing it as a celebration of global unity. FIFA President Gianni Infantino had said last year that "everyone will be welcome in Canada, Mexico and the United States," but this week acknowledged that FIFA cannot overrule US government decisions on visas.

Key Claims

• Rajoub has been denied a US visa, according to both Al Jazeera and The Guardian, although the US State Department has not commented on his specific case.
• The United States has refused entry to delegates from several countries, including a referee from Somalia and a photographer traveling with Iraq's team, as reported by both sources.
• New US restrictions on Palestinian passport holders, including those who have been employed by the Palestinian Authority, were implemented last year, according to both reports.

Perspectives

Rajoub's situation highlights ongoing tensions between Palestinian and Israeli football officials. Both outlets note that at a FIFA congress in May, Infantino attempted to orchestrate a handshake between Rajoub and the head of Israel's football federation, but Rajoub refused, saying the gesture would not heal wounds but rather whitewash Israel's actions.

The Palestinian Football Association has reported that Israeli actions in Gaza have damaged or destroyed 80% of sports facilities and killed at least 565 players, according to a claim carried by Al Jazeera and not independently verified by Tertius News.

Infantino's comments reflect FIFA's position that it respects national sovereignty over visa decisions, as quoted by both sources: "We need to respect that we are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces."

The US State Department's lack of immediate comment leaves the specific reasons for Rajoub's visa denial unconfirmed. The broader restrictions on Palestinian passport holders, however, were reported as fact by both outlets.