An Iraqi soccer star faced a lengthy interrogation upon his arrival in the United States, delaying his entry for nearly seven hours. On Saturday, striker Aymen Hussein landed at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport alongside his teammates as they prepared for the upcoming World Cup tournament set to start on Thursday.
While most of the Iraqi squad swiftly cleared customs, Hussein was singled out by border agents for further questioning. According to an official associated with the Iraqi Olympic Committee, known for his close ties to the national soccer team, even Hussein’s phone was confiscated for examination.
Eventually, after enduring an exhaustive seven-hour wait, Hussein was finally permitted to enter the country, rejoining his team. However, not all members of the contingent were as fortunate. The team’s photographer, Talal Salah, underwent an even longer ordeal.
The official disclosed that Salah was detained for over 10 hours and subjected to similar scrutiny of his phone. Unfortunately, his situation ended differently, as he was ultimately denied entry into the United States, highlighting the unpredictable nature of border security processes.
After almost seven hours, Hussein was finally given the green light to enter with the rest of the Iraq squad. However, the team’s photographer was barred from entering the US.
‘National 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 added.
Iraq player Aymen Hussein was questioned for nearly seven hours at Chicago’s O’Hare airport
The striker was eventually allowed entry into the US, but the team’s photographer was denied
A US Customs and Border Protection spokesperson told The Daily Mail: ‘On June 5, the Iraqi national team arrived at Chicago O’Hare International Airport from Dubai International Airport.
‘During processing, two travelers underwent additional inspection, a routine part of CBP’s inspection process when officers need to verify information or determine admissibility.
‘Following inspection, one traveler was admitted to the United States. The second traveler, a photographer and NOT a player on the team, was determined to be inadmissible and was denied entry due to vetting concerns.
‘All travelers seeking entry into the United States, including athletes, coaches, and staff, are subject to CBP inspection and vetting. Admissibility determinations are made on a case-by-case basis using law enforcement, national security, and immigration information available at the time of inspection. CBP officers have the authority to question travelers, conduct inspections, and determine admissibility consistent with U.S. law.’
The Daily Mail has also contacted FIFA, as well as the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for comment.
Iraq are set to compete at their first World Cup for 40 years. They have been drawn in Group I and will play games against France, Senegal and Norway.
It comes after the Iran team were told they must enter and leave US soil on the same day of matches while ‘integral’ members of their coaching staff have been denied visas to the World Cup.
The country’s ambassador to Mexico, where the squad is staying thanks to the ongoing conflict with the US, said on Saturday that their players would have to be in and out of the US within 24 hours.
Iran – whose group matches are in Los Angeles and Seattle – were due to stay in Tucson, Arizona but will now fly in.
The Iran team has been told they must enter and leave US soil on the same day of matches
Donald Trump’s administration has not yet granted visas to many of the team’s staff
‘We can enter in the morning and we must leave the same day,’ Iran’s envoy Abolfazl Pasandideh told reporters.
US officials said visas have been issued to all players and ‘necessary support staff’ ahead of their June 16 opener.
They added that Iran would not be allowed to ‘abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the United States under false pretences’.
However, Iran’s embassy in Turkey said visas had been denied to ‘a large portion of the managerial and executive staff’ and accused the Americans of ‘politically biased interference in sport’. They claimed visas had been denied to a ‘large portion of the managerial and executive staff’ and ‘technical advisers’.
Iranian state media claimed the head of the football federation and his deputy were among those denied entry.
Iran open their World Cup account against New Zealand in California on June 16, before facing Belgium and Egypt in California and Seattle, respectively.
