Iraqi national team star Aymen Hussein faced nearly seven hours of detention and questioning upon arriving at Chicago airport with his squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026, sparking criticism from officials back home.
Iraqi Footballer Aymen Hussein Detained for Hours at Chicago Airport
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers stopped Hussein shortly after the team landed on Friday.
Authorities inspected his phone during the interrogation, according to an Iraqi official who spoke to Reuters.
A publication covering the Iraqi national team condemned the treatment, claiming officials handled Hussein “like a suspect” during the screening process.
Neither the Iraqi Football Association nor Hussein has publicly addressed the incident.
However, the striker posted an Instagram story showing himself flashing a victory sign after authorities granted him entry into the United States.
Aymen Hussein via Instagram 📸
« Ô Allah, à Toi la louange dans l’aisance et dans l’épreuve, à Toi la louange dans le bienfait et dans l’adversité, à Toi la louange dans la difficulté et dans l’abondance, à Toi la louange pour Ta clémence malgré Ta connaissance, à Toi la louange… pic.twitter.com/AtBg8zGckG
— IRAQ FRA (@IraqFootFR) June 6, 2026
In another story, he thanked God for helping him overcome all adversaries.
Hussein remains a key figure for Iraq. He scored the decisive goal that secured the nation’s qualification for the World Cup — Iraq’s first appearance in the tournament since its debut 40 years ago.
The airport ordeal did not stop there. The same Iraqi official confirmed that team photographer Talal Salah faced more than 10 hours of detention and underwent similar phone checks.
Unlike Hussein, officials denied Salah entry into the United States.
CBP confirmed the incident Saturday, stating that two members of the Iraqi delegation received additional screening.
“Following inspection, one traveler was admitted to the United States. The second traveler, a photographer and NOT a player on the team, was determined to be inadmissible and was denied entry,” the agency said in a statement.
Despite the lengthy detention, fans gathered in the early morning hours to welcome the Iraqi squad in Chicago.
Supporters waved flags and posed for photos with players less than a week before the tournament kicks off.
Iraq will play in Group I alongside France, Senegal and Norway when the World Cup begins June 12 across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
