Iraqi national team denies reports of US visa rejections ahead of World Cup

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s national soccer team denied Tuesday reports that five players had been refused U.S. visas ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, saying no player or staff member had received a rejection from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

Team spokesperson Salam al-Mansouri told 964media that all players except three had received visas, with the remaining applications still in process. “No players have been rejected or denied visas yet,” he said. “The news saying that a number of players were denied obtaining entry visas to the United States is fake news and has no truth.”

Mansouri said the three players still awaiting visas hold European Union passports and had delayed their applications due to club commitments at the end of their league seasons. “Next week, those three players will apply for visas too,” he said, adding that the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad had shown “the best cooperation regarding visa issuance.”

Iraqi Football Association member Ghalib al-Zamili told 964media that efforts to complete visa procedures for the remaining players were continuing.

Iraq qualified for the 2026 World Cup by defeating Bolivia 2-1 in the intercontinental playoff final in Monterrey on March 31 — the country’s first appearance in 40 years and only its second in history, following Mexico 1986. The team will face France, Senegal and Norway in Group I of the expanded 48-team tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.