Palestinian football chief says US denied him visa to attend World Cup

Jibril Rajoub, the head of the Palestinian Football Association, stated on June 12, 2026, that he has been denied a visa to travel to the United States for the 2026 Fifa World Cup. Rajoub attended the opening match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City on Thursday, but he is reportedly among several individuals accredited for the World Cup who have faced visa denials or delays from the U.S. This situation marks Rajoub as the latest football official to encounter visa difficulties with the United States, impacting his ability to participate in international football events hosted or involving the U.S. The 2026 Fifa World Cup is scheduled to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.