BAGHDAD (Web Desk) Iraq national team forward Aymen Hussein was reportedly detained for several hours and questioned by US authorities after arriving in Chicago with the Iraqi squad ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to an Iraqi sporting official, Hussein was held at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport for nearly seven hours before being granted entry into the United States. The official said the striker underwent questioning and had his mobile phone examined during the process.
While Hussein was eventually allowed to enter the country, the team’s photographer, Talal Salah, was reportedly denied entry after being held for more than 10 hours and subjected to similar checks.
Neither the Iraqi Football Association nor Hussein had issued an official statement regarding the reported incident at the time of reporting. US immigration authorities also had not publicly commented on the matter.
Despite the travel complications, Iraq’s arrival generated excitement among supporters in the United States. Fans gathered at the airport during the early hours to welcome the team, waving Iraqi flags and taking photographs with players ahead of the tournament.
Hussein remains one of the most important figures in the Iraqi squad, having scored the decisive goal that secured the nation’s qualification for the World Cup. The 30-year-old striker is expected to play a central role in Iraq’s campaign as the country returns to football’s biggest stage for the first time in four decades.
The Iraqi attack also features Ali Al-Hamadi, along with emerging talents Ali Jassim and Youssef Amyn.
Iraq have been drawn into a challenging group alongside France, Senegal and Norway.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is set to begin this week, with Iraq hoping to make a strong impression in their long-awaited return to the global tournament.
