The head of the Palestinian Football Federation says he has been denied a visa to attend the 2026 World Cup

The head of the Palestinian Football Federation is waiting in Mexico City for permission to enter the United States, along with other federation heads attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Jibril Rajoub went to the opening match between Mexico and South Africa on Thursday but is among the many people accredited to attend the World Cup who have not been granted or have yet to receive a visa from the United States.

“I don’t believe it is fair to use or abuse and deny the right of all footballers around the world to be present,” the veteran Palestinian political figure said in an interview with The associate presS.

The Palestinian team did not qualify for the World Cup, but FIFA typically invites the heads of football associations from around the world every four years to the event, which FIFA describes as a celebration of global unity.

«Everyone is welcome in Canada, Mexico and the United States for the FIFA World Cup next year. We are working for exactly that,» FIFA president Gianni Infantino said last year.

However, the United States has denied entry to delegates from many countries, including a referee from Somalia and a photographer traveling with the Iraqi team.

Infantino said this week that FIFA had tried to resolve visa issues but could not override the US government.

“We must respect that we are not the kings of the world who can rule governments and police forces,” he told reporters on Wednesday.

The US State Department had no immediate comment on Rajoub’s visa, but last year introduced new restrictions on Palestinian passport holders, including anyone who had been employed by the Palestinian Authority.

Last September, a visa allowing Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to travel to the United Nations General Assembly was revoked.

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Rajoub and other Palestinian soccer officials have long argued that Israel is violating its statutes by allowing teams from settlements in the occupied West Bank to play in Israel’s national league.

They have pushed FIFA to impose sanctions on Israel, also criticizing restrictions on the movement of Palestinian players and how the war in the Gaza Strip has damaged or destroyed 80% of sports facilities and killed at least 565 players, according to the association.

Last month, at Infantino’s insistence, Rajoub refused to shake hands with the head of Israel’s football federation, saying the gesture would not heal wounds but instead condone Israel’s actions.

Rajoub pointed out that when Russia hosted the 2018 World Cup, the country did not introduce similar visa restrictions for people invited to the tournament.

Published on June 12, 2026