By Zoey
Iraq’s preparations for its long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup were overshadowed by an unexpected immigration incident after star striker Aymen Hussein was reportedly detained and questioned for nearly seven hours upon arriving in the United States with the national team.
According to an Iraqi sporting official with close ties to the squad, Hussein was held by U.S. authorities after landing at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport early Saturday morning before eventually being permitted to enter the country. The official said the striker underwent extensive questioning and had his mobile phone inspected during the process.
The incident occurred just days before the start of the World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Iraq’s national team had arrived in the United States to begin final preparations for its first World Cup appearance in four decades.
While Hussein was ultimately allowed to continue his journey with the team, the official said the delegation faced an additional setback when team photographer Talal Salah was denied entry into the United States after being detained for more than 10 hours.
According to the official, Salah underwent a similar screening process that included an examination of his phone and personal belongings. After lengthy questioning, authorities reportedly refused him admission to the country. No official explanation for the decision was immediately available.
The Iraqi Football Association had not issued a formal statement regarding the incidents as of Saturday, and Hussein himself had not publicly commented on the reported detention.
U.S. immigration authorities also did not immediately provide details regarding the circumstances surrounding the questioning of the Iraqi delegation members.
The episode attracted significant attention in Iraq, where media outlets closely followed developments involving one of the country’s most celebrated athletes. Hussein has become a national sporting icon in recent years and played a pivotal role in Iraq’s successful qualification campaign.
The 30-year-old striker scored the crucial goal that secured Iraq’s place at the World Cup, ending a 40-year absence from football’s biggest tournament and sparking celebrations across the country.
His importance to the national team cannot be overstated. Known for his physical presence, aerial ability and knack for scoring important goals, Hussein has emerged as the centerpiece of Iraq’s attack and one of the most recognizable figures in Middle Eastern football.
Despite the disruption, there was no indication that the incident would affect his availability for the tournament.
The Iraqi squad received a warm welcome from supporters upon arrival in Chicago. Videos shared on social media showed fans gathering at the airport during the early hours of the morning carrying Iraqi flags and cheering the players as they emerged from the terminal.
Many supporters sought photographs and autographs from the squad, reflecting the excitement surrounding Iraq’s return to the global stage after decades away from the competition.
The team enters the tournament carrying the hopes of a football-mad nation eager to make a strong impression. Iraq’s only previous World Cup appearance came in 1986, and qualification for this year’s tournament has been viewed as one of the most significant achievements in the country’s recent sporting history.
Hussein is expected to lead a talented attacking unit that combines experience and youth. Alongside him is Ali Al-Hamadi of Ipswich Town, as well as promising young talents Ali Jassim and Youssef Amyn.
The group is regarded as one of the most dangerous attacking combinations Iraq has assembled in recent years and is expected to play a key role in determining the team’s success during the tournament.
Iraq faces a difficult challenge in Group I, where it will compete against France national football team, Senegal national football team and Norway national football team.
Football analysts have described the group as one of the tournament’s most competitive, with France entering as one of the favorites for the title and both Senegal and Norway possessing strong squads capable of advancing to the knockout stages.
For Iraq, simply reaching the World Cup has already marked a historic milestone, but players and coaches have repeatedly emphasized that they do not intend to travel merely as participants.
The arrival controversy now adds an unexpected chapter to the team’s journey before a ball has even been kicked. However, attention is likely to shift quickly back to football as Iraq prepares for its opening match and seeks to make history on the sport’s biggest stage.
With the World Cup set to begin this week across North America, Iraqi supporters will be hoping that the focus returns to Hussein’s performances on the field rather than the difficulties he encountered upon arrival, as the striker looks to lead his nation through its most significant football tournament in a generation.
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