The president of the Palestinian Football Association has announced his inability to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States due to a visa denial. Jibril Rajoub expressed disappointment as he was slated to join other football federation heads at the event.
Rajoub attended the opening match between Mexico and South Africa held in Mexico City on Thursday. However, he is among several accredited individuals who have either been denied visas or are still awaiting approval from the U.S. government.
“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,”
the long-time Palestinian political figure stated.
Although the Palestinian team did not qualify for this year’s World Cup, FIFA usually invites heads of football associations globally to the quadrennial event, promoting it as a celebration of worldwide unity.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino commented last year, 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.”
Nevertheless, the U.S. has denied entry to delegates from various nations, including a referee from Somalia and a photographer accompanying Iraq’s team.
This week, Infantino noted that while FIFA has been attempting to address visa complications, it lacks the authority to supersede U.S. government decisions. “We need to respect that we are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces,” he explained to reporters on Wednesday.
The U.S. State Department did not provide immediate comments regarding Rajoub’s visa situation. However, it had previously implemented new restrictions affecting Palestinian passport holders, including those who have worked for the Palestinian Authority.
Last September, a visa was revoked for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, preventing him from attending the UN General Assembly.
Rajoub, along with other Palestinian football officials, has long contended that Israel breaches regulations by permitting teams from settlements in the occupied West Bank to compete in Israel’s national league. They have urged FIFA to impose sanctions on Israel, citing the restrictions on Palestinian players and the destruction of approximately 80% of sports facilities in Gaza due to ongoing conflict, which has resulted in the deaths of at least 565 athletes, as per the association.
Last month, Rajoub declined to shake hands with the head of Israel’s football federation at Infantino’s request, arguing that such an act would not heal wounds but rather serve to sanitize Israel’s actions.
He also highlighted that during the 2018 World Cup in Russia, there were no similar visa barriers for invited guests.
