Jibril Rajoub, the head of the Palestinian Football Association, has stated he is unable to travel to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside other federation presidents because his visa application was not approved.
Rajoub attended the opening match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City on Thursday. However, he is among several accredited individuals who have either been denied visas or have not yet received them from the US authorities.
“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 veteran Palestinian political figure said.
The Palestinian national team did not qualify for the World Cup, but FIFA typically invites the heads of football associations from across the globe to the quadrennial event, which is promoted as a celebration of global unity.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated last year: “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, the US has refused entry to delegates from several countries, including a referee from Somalia and a photographer traveling with Iraq’s team.
FIFA’s stance on visa issues
Infantino said this week that FIFA had been trying to resolve visa issues but could not overrule the US government. “We need to respect that we are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
The US State Department had no immediate comment on Rajoub’s visa, but last year it implemented new restrictions on Palestinian passport holders, including anyone who had been employed by the Palestinian Authority. It also revoked a visa that allowed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to travel to the UN General Assembly last September.
Ongoing disputes with Israel
Rajoub and other Palestinian football officials have long argued that Israel violates FIFA statutes by allowing teams from settlements in the occupied West Bank to participate in Israel’s national league. They have urged FIFA to impose sanctions on Israel, citing restrictions on the movement of Palestinian players and the impact of the war in Gaza, which has damaged or destroyed 80% of sports facilities and killed at least 565 players, according to the association.
Last month, Rajoub refused to shake hands with the head of Israel’s football federation at Infantino’s request, stating that the gesture would not heal wounds but rather whitewash Israel’s actions.
Rajoub noted that when Russia hosted the 2018 World Cup, it did not impose comparable visa restrictions on invited attendees.
