A visa-related issue in Iraq: The US has closed the entry for five football players before the 2026 …

A visa issue in Iraq: The US has denied visas to five football players ahead of the 2026 World Cup

American consular services have put an end to the preparations of Iraq’s national team for the 2026 World Cup qualifying rounds. According to NTV Iraq, five team members have been denied visas. This incident occurred during the training camp, which raises serious doubts about the team’s ability to prepare for the crucial qualifying matches. Diplomatic procedures and stricter immigration regulations once again demonstrate how political factors can directly affect sports events. The leadership of the Iraqi Football Association has already started urgent negotiations with American partners, trying to find a compromise or quickly replace the players who were denied visas. For a team aiming to qualify for the World Cup, such administrative obstacles are a real challenge. Now, the team must quickly reorganize its starting lineup, find internal replacements, and adapt its playing strategy to meet the new challenges, without wasting precious time on bureaucratic procedures.