Two Members of Iraq Football Delegation Face Entry Delays at Chicago Airport

WASHINGTON, United States — CHICAGO — Two members of Iraq's national football team delegation experienced entry delays upon arriving in Chicago, Iraq's Washington Embassy announced. The embassy said it had been coordinating with the U.S. State Department and relevant authorities for several days to facilitate the process. A 62-person delegation entered the United States smoothly on June 5, 2026, but two individuals were subjected to additional immigration procedures. National team player Ayman Hussein was questioned and examined for several hours at Chicago's O'Hare Airport, according to the source. Team photographer Talal Salah was not admitted to the United States. One of the two delayed individuals completed entry procedures, while the other was denied entry due to specific reasons related to U.S. immigration rules. The embassy emphasized that entry procedures are largely under the authority of U.S. immigration authorities. The Iraqi delegation arrived in Chicago following a training camp in Spain as part of preparations for the 2026 World Cup.