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

Jibril Rajoub, the president of the Palestinian Football Association, stated on June 14, 2024, that he had not been granted a U.S. visa to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Rajoub, who is currently in Mexico, expressed his disappointment and indicated that he was awaiting a decision from U.S. authorities. The FIFA World Cup 2026 is scheduled to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with matches taking place across all three nations. Rajoub's inability to secure a visa raises concerns about the accessibility for Palestinian officials and athletes to participate in international sporting events held in the U.S. The Palestinian Football Association has been actively involved in international competitions, including the AFC Asian Cup. This situation highlights potential diplomatic and logistical challenges for Palestinian representatives in global forums.