MLBRecap
Dodgers arenât cashing in scoring chances, and arenât creating them either
Dodgers' offensive woes continue as they fail to score runs and capitalize on chances.
Yahoo Sports1 min read
Sports
White House Says No Issue With Iraqi Soccer Visas at World Cup
TL;DR
The U.S. State Department denies reports of visa issues for five Iraqi soccer players ahead of the World Cup. All players are confirmed to have obtained entry visas to the U.S. and are also working on Canadian visas.
Key points
- U.S. denies visa issues for Iraqi soccer players
- All players have obtained entry visas to the U.S.
- Players are also working on Canadian visas
Mentioned in this story
Ali al-HamadiU.S. State Department
Iraq National TeamWorld Cup
The U.S. is denying reports that it denied visas for five Iraqi menâs national team players ahead of the World Cup this summer.
The State Department sent a statement to Front Office Sports denying the reports attributed to Andrew Giuliani, who leads President Donald Trumpâs World Cup Task Force.
âCurrently, there are no known issues affecting the Iraq National Team players, and they remain on track to compete in the World Cup,â the statement reads. âWe maintain daily communication with FIFA and will continue to prioritize these players in accordance with the Presidentâs Executive Order, ensuring an incredible and safe tournament.â
Reports circulated online and on social media Tuesday that five players, including Luton Townâs Ali al-Hamadi, were denied visas. According to Iraqi news site The New Region, the Iraq Football Association told the outlet: âThe news is false, and the truth is that all the national team players have obtained entry visas to America,â and said that players are also in the process of getting their Canadian visas.
Iraq is set to play group stage matches in Boston, Philadelphia, and Toronto in a stacked group that includes France, Senegal, and Norway. The Lions of Mesopotamia are back in the World Cup for the first time since 1986, having qualified through winning a FIFA playoff in March in Mexico, which also granted their visas despite logistical challenges including embassy closures due to the war in the Middle East.
The World Cup kicks off June 11. A record 104 matches will be played between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
Q&A
What did the U.S. State Department say about Iraqi soccer players' visas?
The U.S. State Department stated that there are currently no known issues affecting the Iraqi National Team players' visas for the World Cup.
Which Iraqi soccer players were reported to have visa issues?
Reports mentioned five players, including Ali al-Hamadi from Luton Town, but these claims were denied by the Iraqi Football Association.
Are Iraqi soccer players getting visas for Canada as well?
Yes, the Iraqi Football Association confirmed that the national team players are in the process of obtaining their Canadian visas.
