Visa Issues for Iraq’s Football Squad
The United States has refused entry visas to five members of Iraq’s national football team who were set to compete in the 2026 World Cup. This was confirmed by Ghalib al-Zameli, a representative of the Iraqi Football Federation. The affected players are Ibrahim Bayesh, Mohanad Ali, Zaid Tahseen, Haider Abdulkarim, and Ali al-Hamadi. The reasons behind the denials have not been disclosed. In response, Iraq has reached out to FIFA, seeking assistance in resolving the visa situation.
The 2026 World Cup Tournament
Scheduled from June 11 to July 19, 2026, the World Cup will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Iraq has been placed in Group I alongside France, Senegal, and Norway. The team is slated to play its first two matches in the U.S. and one in Canada.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that Ukraine’s national team lost to Sweden in the World Cup playoff semifinals with a score of 1–3. Goals came from Ponomarenko (90+1) for Ukraine and Viktor Gyökeres (6, 51, 72) for Sweden.
The full group stage lineup for the tournament is as follows:
- Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic.
- Group B: Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland.
- Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland.
- Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey.
- Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador.
- Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia.
- Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand.
- Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay.
- Group I: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway.
- Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan.
- Group K: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia.
- Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama.
Teams finishing in the top two spots of each group will advance to the Round of 16, along with the eight best third-place teams from the group stage.
The visa rejections could significantly disrupt Iraq’s preparations for the World Cup. Urgent intervention from FIFA is crucial, as the participation of key players is vital for the team’s success on the international stage. Iraq has qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1986, making the resolution of this visa issue a top priority not only for the squad but for the entire country’s football community. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s defeat in the World Cup playoffs highlights the intense competition and challenges teams face on the road to global tournaments.
As Iraq navigates these visa challenges, it's essential to consider the broader implications for teams in the region. For instance, Iran's participation in the upcoming tournament is contingent on assurances regarding player safety, as highlighted by the country's Sports Minister. This situation underscores the complexities surrounding international competitions and the varying obstacles teams may face. For more insights, read about Iran's conditions for World Cup participation.