Iraq’s talismanic World Cup striker Aymen Hussein was held and questioned for nearly seven hours at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport after arriving with his squad early on Saturday, an Iraqi sporting official has confirmed. Hussein was eventually allowed entry, but the team’s photographer was barred from entering the United States, according to the official, who works for the Iraqi Olympic Committee and maintains close contact with the national team.
Hussein, the 30-year-old forward who scored the decisive goal that secured Iraq’s qualification for the finals, is a key figure in the squad. His phone was inspected upon arrival, the official said. No immediate comment was provided by the Iraqi Football Association or by Hussein himself.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the reported questioning, which was also covered by Iraqi media.
“Iraqi 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.
Fans turned out in the early hours of the morning to welcome the Iraq squad at O’Hare, waving national flags and asking players to pose for pictures. Video footage circulating on social media showed the warm reception as the team arrived less than a week before the start of the tournament.
Iraq is returning to the FIFA World Cup for the first time since their debut 40 years ago, making their appearance especially significant for the nation. Hussein leads a potent frontline that includes Ipswich Town striker Ali Al-Hamadi and promising young talents Ali Jassim and Youssef Amyn.
In Group I, Iraq will face France, Senegal and Norway in a challenging opening campaign. The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is scheduled to kick off on Thursday.
The detention and questioning of Hussein and the photographer have sparked concern among Iraqi fans and officials, particularly so close to the start of the World Cup. While Hussein was admitted, the exclusion of the team photographer raises questions about entry procedures and the scrutiny faced by Iraqi contingent members. For now, the focus remains on Iraq’s historic World Cup return and their ability to compete at the highest level against strong opposition in Group I.
