Iran, Iraq, Senegal and Uzbekistan teams face U.S. entry restrictions ahead of World Cup
Several national teams and officials preparing for the upcoming World Cup reported delays, searches and entry denials at U.S. airports. FIFA stated it does not control visa decisions, which remain with host governments.
The GuardianNational football teams from Iran, Iraq, Senegal and Uzbekistan encountered entry and security measures at U.S. airports in the days before the World Cup begins. Iranian players must enter and leave the United States on the same day for matches in Los Angeles and Seattle, while support staff were denied entry.
Iranian fans also had ticket allocations withdrawn, according to the Iranian football association.
Referee and player incidents Omar Artan, a Somali referee, was denied entry at Miami airport despite holding what he believed was a valid visa. FIFA said it is not involved in host-country immigration decisions. Iraq striker Aymen Hussein was questioned for nearly seven hours at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport.
The team’s photographer was barred after phone checks. Senegal players underwent bag inspections on the tarmac in San Antonio, Texas. Uzbekistan’s squad was searched by drug-sniffing dogs at a New York training camp.
FIFA statement FIFA said in a statement that “a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country.” The organization added it follows the same policy used at previous events. The tournament is scheduled to open in two days.
