Jibril Rajoub, the head of the Palestinian Football Association, has stated that he is unable to travel to the United States with other federation leaders attending the 2026 Fifa World Cup because his visa application has been denied.
Visa denial controversy
Rajoub attended the opening match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City on Thursday. However, he is among several accredited individuals who have been denied visas or are still waiting for approval from the US authorities.
“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,” said the veteran Palestinian political figure.
Although the Palestinian team did not qualify for the World Cup, Fifa traditionally invites heads of football associations worldwide to the quadrennial event, which it promotes as a celebration of global unity.
Fifa President Gianni Infantino stated last year: “Everyone will be welcome in Canada, Mexico and the United States for the Fifa World Cup next year. We are working exactly for that.”
However, the US has refused entry to delegates from several countries, including a referee from Somalia and a photographer traveling with Iraq’s team.
Fifa's stance on visa issues
Infantino mentioned this week that Fifa has been trying to resolve visa issues but cannot overrule the US government. “We need to respect that we are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
The US State Department had no immediate comment on Rajoub’s visa situation. However, last year it implemented new restrictions on Palestinian passport holders, including those employed by the Palestinian Authority. It also revoked a visa allowing Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to travel to the UN General Assembly in September.
Palestinian football and political tensions
Rajoub and other Palestinian football officials have long argued that Israel violates Fifa statutes by allowing teams from settlements in the occupied West Bank to play in Israel’s national league. They have pushed for Fifa to impose sanctions on Israel, criticizing restrictions on Palestinian players' movement and the impact of the war in Gaza, which has damaged or destroyed 80% of sports facilities and killed at least 565 players, according to the Palestinian Football Association.
Last month, Rajoub refused to shake hands with the head of Israel’s football federation at Infantino’s request, stating that such a gesture would not heal wounds but rather whitewash Israel’s actions.
Rajoub noted that when Russia hosted the 2018 World Cup, it did not impose comparable visa restrictions on invited tournament attendees.
