Jibril Rajoub, the head of the Palestinian Football Association (PFA), has stated he has not been granted a US visa to attend events related to the 2026 Fifa World Cup, despite being accredited. Mr Rajoub is currently in Mexico City, where he attended the opening match between Mexico and South Africa on Thursday, but is unable to enter the United States for further World Cup engagements.
His situation reflects a broader issue affecting several international football officials who have either been denied US visas or are still awaiting approval. Mr Rajoub expressed his frustration, telling The Associated Press, "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." While the Palestinian team did not qualify for the tournament, Fifa traditionally extends invitations to the heads of football associations globally, aiming to foster international unity.
Fifa President Gianni Infantino had previously declared last year that "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 United States has reportedly refused entry to delegates from various nations, including a referee from Somalia and a photographer travelling with Iraq’s team. Mr Infantino acknowledged this week that Fifa had attempted to resolve these visa issues but conceded that the organisation could not override the decisions of the US government, stating, "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 has not commented on Mr Rajoub’s specific visa status. Last year, the department implemented new restrictions on Palestinian passport holders, particularly those employed by the Palestinian Authority. Notably, a visa for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to attend the United Nations General Assembly last September was also revoked.
Mr Rajoub and other Palestinian football officials have consistently raised concerns about Israel’s alleged violations of Fifa statutes, citing the participation of teams from settlements in the occupied West Bank in its national league. They have urged Fifa to sanction Israel, highlighting restrictions on Palestinian players’ movement and extensive damage to sports facilities in the Gaza Strip. According to the PFA, 80 per cent of facilities there have been destroyed and at least 565 players killed. Last month, Mr Rajoub notably refused to shake hands with the head of Israel’s football federation at Mr Infantino’s request, arguing it would not heal wounds but instead "whitewash Israel’s actions." He also contrasted the situation with Russia, which he noted did not impose comparable visa restrictions when hosting the 2018 World Cup.
Source: The Associated Press