World Cup: US detains Iraqi soccer team striker, interrogates him for 7 hours

Iraq’s star striker Aymen Hussein was detained and questioned for nearly seven hours after arriving in the United States ahead of the World Cup, according to an Iraqi sports official.

Hussein, one of Iraq’s most important players and the man whose goal clinched the country’s World Cup qualification, was finally cleared to enter the United States early on Saturday after being detained at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.

However, Iraq’s national 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 contacts with the national soccer team, revealed that Hussein’s phone was checked during the lengthy interrogation.

“National team photographer Talal Salah was detained for more than 10 hours, subjected to similar phone checks and ultimately denied entry to the United States,” the official said.

The Iraqi Football Association did not immediately comment on 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 occurred just days before the start of the FIFA World Cup, which is 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 photos with the players upon their arrival.

Iraq is set to appear at the World Cup for the first time in four decades. The team will be led by 30-year-old Hussein, Ipswich Town striker Ali Al-Hamadi and youngsters Ali Jassim and Youssef Amyn.

The team was drawn in Group I along with France, Senegal and Norway.

FIFA WORLD CUP: USA STILL WITH IRAN

The incident occurred at a time of heightened tensions between the United States and Iran. In recent weeks, Washington and Tehran have traded military blows despite ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a broader deal on Iran’s nuclear program and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Several rounds of talks have stalled, with both sides accusing each other of undermining ceasefire efforts in the region. In recent days, there have also been new exchanges of information about Iranian drones, missile launches and US strikes on Iranian military infrastructure.

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Issued by:

Kingshuk Kusari

Published on:

June 6, 2026 10:18 PM IST