Palestinian Football Association president Jibril Rajoub has reportedly been denied a U.S. visa, preventing him from attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup currently being hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Rajoub, who has led the Palestinian Football Association for more than a decade and serves as a prominent figure in Palestinian sports administration, was expected to participate in a series of official FIFA-related events during the tournament.
The visa denial has sparked criticism from Palestinian officials, who argue that the decision undermines the principles of inclusivity and international representation that global sporting events seek to promote.
Neither U.S. authorities nor the State Department have publicly disclosed the reasons behind the visa refusal, citing confidentiality rules surrounding individual visa applications. Under U.S. law, consular decisions are generally not subject to public explanation.
The development comes amid heightened political tensions surrounding the ongoing conflict in Gaza and increasing scrutiny of travel restrictions imposed on Palestinian officials and public figures. Supporters of Rajoub say the decision could further complicate efforts to ensure Palestinian representation within international football governance.
FIFA has not yet issued a detailed statement on the matter, although the governing body has consistently emphasized the importance of ensuring that football remains a platform for dialogue and participation regardless of political differences.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which began on June 11, is the largest edition of the tournament in history, featuring 48 national teams and matches across 16 host cities in North America.
The visa dispute is likely to add another political dimension to a tournament already taking place against a backdrop of heightened global security and geopolitical tensions.