BAGHDAD: Iraqi World Cup forward Aymen Hussein was detained and questioned for nearly seven hours at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport after arriving with the team early Saturday, an Iraqi sports official said.
Hussein was eventually allowed in, but the team photographer was not allowed into the United States, said the official who works for the Iraqi Olympic Committee but has close contact with the team.
There was no immediate comment from the Iraqi Football Federation, nor from Hussein, the talismanic figure who scored the goal that ensured the team’s qualification for the finals.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment on the reported interrogation, which was also covered by Iraqi media.
Fans came out early in the morning to greet the Iraqi team at the airport, waving flags and asking players to pose for photos less than a week before the start of the tournament, a video posted on social media showed.
Hussein’s phone was inspected after his arrival, the Iraqi official said.
“National team photographer Talal Salah was detained for more than 10 hours, subjected to similar telephone checks and ultimately denied entry to the United States,” the official added.
Iraq returns to the World Cup for the first time since its debut 40 years ago.
Hussein, 30, leads a powerful frontline which also includes Ipswich Town’s Ali Al-Hamadi and talented youngsters Ali Jassim and Youssef Amyn.
Iraq faces France, Senegal and Norway in Group I.
The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, begins Thursday.
