"); googletag.cmd.push(function() { onDvtagReady(function () { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-3341368-3'); }); }); }

Summary

The Iraqi Football Association has settled the controversy over visas for the 2026 World Cup, confirming that all members of the delegation have received official approvals, while the "Lions of Mesopotamia" continue their intensive preparations through a European camp and strong tests before the tournament.

Iraq on Wednesday denied reports that US authorities had refused visas to some national team players participating in the 2026 World Cup, scheduled for next month in North America, stressing that all delegation members have obtained official approvals to enter the US.

Local and international reports had indicated that the Iraqi team faces a crisis ahead of its long-awaited World Cup appearance after a 40-year absence, due to claims that entry visas were denied to a number of players, including Ibrahim Bayesh, Mohanad Ali, Zidane Tahseen, Haider Abdulkarim, and Ali Al-Hammadi, without explanation.

Iraqi Federation Determines Team's Delegation Status

However, the Iraqi News Agency quoted the local football federation as confirming that "the news circulating about the US embassy refusing visas to some national team players is baseless," noting that "all 55 members of the delegation have obtained official approvals to enter the US, with no rejections recorded."

The agency added that the team will travel to Spain on May 22, after the announcement of the final squad that will undergo the preparatory camp led by Australian coach Graham Arnold.

Read more

This section contains related articles, placed in (Related Nodes field)

It also indicated that Arnold will hold a press conference on May 19 or 20 at the Iraqi Football Association headquarters in the capital Baghdad, to discuss the team's preparations and program before the tournament.

European Camp and Tough Tests Before the World Cup

The "Lions of Mesopotamia" will begin their final preparations with a friendly match against Andorra on May 29 in Spain, as part of the training camp held in Europe, followed by a second strong match against Spain on June 4, before the tournament begins.

These two matches are the team's last tests before participating in the World Cup, as the technical staff aims to assess player readiness, finalize the starting lineup, and address any technical aspects.

Historic Return of Iraq to the World Cup

The Iraqi team secured its spot in the 2026 World Cup finals after a 40-year absence, following a 2-1 victory over Bolivia in the intercontinental playoff.

With this qualification, Iraq joins seven other Arab teams that have qualified for the tournament: Jordan, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Algeria, in a historic first reflecting the increase in participating teams to 48. Iraq will compete in Group Nine alongside France, Senegal, and Norway.

"); googletag.cmd.push(function() { onDvtagReady(function () { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-3341368-4'); }); }); }

More about: Iraq, 2026 World Cup, USA, US visas, Spain, football, Graham Arnold, France, Senegal, Norway