**Palestinian Football Chief Denied US Visa for World Cup Attendance**
**Mexico City, June 12, 2026** – Jibril Rajoub, the head of the Palestinian Football Association, has announced that he is currently in Mexico City awaiting permission to enter the United States to attend the FIFA World Cup. Despite being accredited for the event, Rajoub is among several individuals who have either been denied visas or are still waiting for approval to enter the US.
Rajoub attended the opening match of the World Cup between Mexico and South Africa but has expressed frustration over the visa situation. He stated, “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,” highlighting the broader implications of the visa denials on the spirit of global unity that the World Cup represents.
The Palestinian national team did not qualify for the tournament, but FIFA traditionally invites heads of football associations from around the globe to participate in the event. FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized the organization’s commitment to inclusivity, stating, “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, he acknowledged the challenges posed by the US government's visa policies, noting that FIFA cannot override governmental decisions.
The US has faced criticism for its visa restrictions, which have affected delegates from various countries, including a referee from Somalia and a photographer accompanying Iraq’s team. The US State Department has not commented specifically on Rajoub’s visa status, but it has implemented new restrictions on Palestinian passport holders, particularly those affiliated with the Palestinian Authority. This includes a recent incident where a visa was revoked for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, preventing him from attending the United Nations General Assembly.
Rajoub and other Palestinian football officials have long raised concerns regarding Israel's involvement in international football, particularly regarding teams from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank participating in Israel’s national league. They have urged FIFA to take action against Israel, citing restrictions on the movement of Palestinian players and the impact of ongoing conflicts, which have severely damaged sports facilities in Gaza and resulted in the deaths of numerous athletes.
In a recent incident, Rajoub declined to shake hands with the head of Israel’s football federation at Infantino’s request, arguing that such gestures would not contribute to healing but would instead serve to obscure Israel's actions against Palestinians.
Rajoub pointed out that during the 2018 World Cup held in Russia, there were no similar visa restrictions imposed on invited guests, raising questions about the consistency of the US's approach to international sporting events.
As the World Cup progresses, the situation surrounding Rajoub's visa and the broader implications for Palestinian representation in international football remains a point of contention, reflecting the ongoing complexities of politics and sport on the global stage.