The 2026 FIFA World Cup is supposed to be the biggest sporting event on the planet. For at least one accredited delegate, it’s become an exercise in watching from the wrong side of the border.

Jibril Rajoub, president of the Palestinian Football Association and a senior figure in the Fatah political party, has been denied a US visa to attend official FIFA events tied to the tournament. He holds full FIFA accreditation, the kind that’s supposed to function as an all-access pass to the global game’s marquee event.

Stranded in Mexico City

Rajoub attended the opening match between Mexico and South Africa, which took place in Mexico, one of the tournament’s three co-host nations alongside the US and Canada. But that’s where his World Cup journey appears to have hit a wall.

As of mid-June 2026, Rajoub remains in Mexico City, unable to cross into the United States for subsequent World Cup events. The denial isn’t an isolated case. Accredited delegates from Somalia and Iraq have reportedly faced similar barriers to entry, suggesting this is less about one individual and more about a systemic approach to visa approvals during the tournament.

The backdrop here matters. In 2025, the US implemented stricter visa restrictions targeting Palestinian passport holders, with particular scrutiny applied to employees of the Palestinian Authority. Rajoub, who has led the Palestinian Football Association since 2008, checks both boxes.

Here’s the thing: the Palestinian national team didn’t even qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Rajoub isn’t there as a team official. Federation presidents from non-qualifying nations are routinely invited to FIFA events during the tournament.

Rajoub has publicly called the visa denial politically motivated. He drew a pointed comparison to the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where access was considerably more open.

FIFA’s limited leverage

FIFA President Gianni Infantino acknowledged the situation, noting that the organization has attempted to address these visa issues but has been unable to influence US government decisions.

Rajoub himself is no stranger to controversy within football governance. He received a one-year ban from FIFA in 2018, a disciplinary action that temporarily sidelined him from official football activities. His dual role as both a sports administrator and a prominent political figure within Fatah has long made him a lightning rod.