Iraq World Cup Star Aymen Hussein Questioned for Seven Hours After US Arrival
Iraq’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup suffered an unexpected setback after star striker Aymen Hussein was detained and questioned by US authorities upon arrival in Chicago. The incident has drawn attention just days before Iraq’s first World Cup appearance in 40 years.
June 07, 2026: Iraq's long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup after 40 years has been overshadowed by an unexpected incident involving star striker Aymen Hussein. The forward, whose decisive goal in the play-offs against Bolivia secured Iraq's place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, was detained and questioned by US immigration authorities for nearly seven hours upon arriving in the United States.
The incident occurred after the Iraqi national team landed at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport early on Saturday ahead of the tournament. According to an Iraqi football official, the 30-year-old striker was separated from the rest of the squad by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers immediately after arrival. During the lengthy interrogation, authorities reportedly inspected Hussein's mobile phone before eventually allowing him to enter the country.
However, the situation was more serious for Iraq's official team photographer, Talal Salah. He was reportedly detained for more than 10 hours, underwent a similar inspection process, and was ultimately denied entry into the United States.
Team Faces Disruption Ahead of World Cup Campaign
Neither the Iraq Football Association nor Hussein had issued an official statement regarding the incident at the time of reporting. Meanwhile, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The episode has attracted significant attention due to Hussein's importance to Iraqi football. Widely regarded as one of the country's most influential players, he became a national hero after scoring the goal that ended Iraq's four-decade absence from football's biggest tournament. His leadership and goal-scoring ability are expected to play a crucial role in Iraq's World Cup campaign.
🇮🇶 🇺🇸 Iraqi football star Aymen Hussein was reportedly questioned for 7 hours before being allowed into the US for the World Cup
A player arrives to represent his country — and gets treated like a suspect pic.twitter.com/3afVkQHLYo
— BRICS + World (@BricsPlusWorld) June 7, 2026
Despite the disruption, Hussein has rejoined the squad and is expected to continue preparations for the tournament. Iraqi fans had gathered at the airport to welcome the team, with videos on social media showing supporters waving national flags and taking photographs with the players.
Iraq begin their 2026 FIFA World Cup journey in Group I, where they will face formidable opponents France, Senegal, and Norway. As the tournament gets underway on June 11, the team will be hoping to put the controversy behind them and focus on making a strong impression on the global stage.