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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.
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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.
The U.S. State Department stated that there are currently no known issues affecting the Iraqi National Team players' visas for the World Cup.
Reports mentioned five players, including Ali al-Hamadi from Luton Town, but these claims were denied by the Iraqi Football Association.
Yes, the Iraqi Football Association confirmed that the national team players are in the process of obtaining their Canadian visas.
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The Trump administration has issued travel bans or bond requirements to travelers from numerous World Cup countries, but said it would carve out exceptions for World Cup players, staff, and immediate family members. Iraq is not on Trumpâs list of banned countries, nor those that would require a bond of up to $15,000 for citizens visiting the U.S. But there is heightened concern for all travelers coming to the U.S. recently, as evidenced by the decrease in tourism in the last year and low hotel bookings for the World Cup.
Iraqâs neighbor, Iran, has had numerous visa issues related to the World Cup.
Federation president Mehdi Taj was recently denied entry into Canada for last monthâs FIFA Congress. Several members of the federation were denied U.S. visas for the World Cup draw in December, and threatened to boycott the event, but some individuals eventually attended.
Over the weekend, Taj said that all players and staff, âespeciallyâ those who did their military service in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, âshould be granted visas without problems,â according to state-run media. According to U.K.-based Iran International, Taj is a former IRGC intelligence officer. The IRGC is designated as a terrorist organization in both the U.S. and Canada.
The federation laid out a list of 10 demands it needs to participate in the tournament, including guarantees for visas and increased security.
The State Department did not answer questions about the Iranian teamâs visas.
The post White House Says No Issue With Iraqi Soccer Visas at World Cup appeared first on Front Office Sports.