FIFA World Cup: USA detains Iraq football team's striker, interrogates him for 7 hours

Published 6 June 2026 · sports

Iraq's star striker Aymen Hussein was detained and questioned for nearly seven hours upon arrival in the United States ahead of the FIFA World Cup

Iraq's star striker Aymen Hussein was detained and questioned for nearly seven hours upon arrival in the United States ahead of the FIFA World Cup, according to an Iraqi sporting official. Hussein, one of Iraq's most important players and the man whose goal secured the country's qualification for the World Cup, was eventually allowed to enter the United States after being held at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport early on Saturday. Read Full Story However, Iraq's national team photographer Talal Salah was denied entry into the country after being detained for more than 10 hours, the official said.

The official, who works with the Iraqi Olympic Committee and maintains close contact with the national football team, revealed that Hussein's phone was inspected during the lengthy questioning process. " team photographer Talal Salah was held for more than 10 hours, underwent similar phone checks, and was ultimately denied entry into the United States," the official said. There was no immediate response from the Iraqi Football Association regarding the incident, while US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security did not immediately comment on reports of the detention. The incident comes just days before the start of the FIFA World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Videos circulating on social media showed Iraqi fans gathering at the airport in the early hours of Saturday morning to welcome the national team, waving flags and posing for photographs with players as they arrived. Iraq are set to make their first World Cup appearance in four decades. The side will be led by Hussein, 30, alongside Ipswich Town forward Ali Al-Hamadi and youngsters Ali Jassim and Youssef Amyn. The team have been drawn alongside France, Senegal and Norway in Group I. FIFA WORLD CUP: USA'S STANDOFF WITH IRAN The incident comes at a time of heightened tensions between the United States and Iran.

In recent weeks, Washington and Tehran have exchanged military strikes despite ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a broader agreement over Iran's nuclear programme and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Multiple rounds of negotiations have stalled, while both sides have accused each other of undermining ceasefire efforts in the region. Recent days have also seen fresh exchanges involving Iranian drones, missile launches and US strikes on Iranian military infrastructure. Ends