Preparations for the Iraq national football team’s upcoming commitments in the United States were overshadowed by reports that star striker Aymen Hussein experienced a lengthy delay upon arrival at Chicago Airport, prompting widespread discussion across Iraqi and international media.
According to reports circulating in Iraqi and Western media outlets, the Iraqi national team’s all-time leading goalscorer was subjected to additional immigration screening that reportedly lasted several hours after arriving in the United States with the national team delegation.
The reports claimed that American immigration authorities conducted an extended review of Hussein’s travel documents and personal belongings, with some sources alleging that a photograph stored on his mobile phone showing him alongside influential Iraqi political figure Muqtada al-Sadr was among the factors examined during the process.
While those claims have not been officially confirmed by U.S. authorities, the incident quickly attracted attention across social media platforms and football circles in Iraq.
The situation also drew criticism from prominent French investigative journalist Romain Molina, who questioned the treatment of the Iraqi international.
Molina expressed concern over the handling of the situation, arguing that Hussein appeared to have been subjected to excessive scrutiny and calling for greater transparency regarding the reasons behind the immigration procedures.
As speculation continued to grow, the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Washington released a statement addressing delays involving two members of the Iraqi national team delegation during their arrival in Chicago.
According to the embassy, extensive efforts had been made in recent days through coordination with the U.S. Department of State and relevant American authorities, as well as officials in Chicago, Illinois, to facilitate the arrival of the Iraqi delegation, which consisted of 62 members.
The embassy stated that the vast majority of the delegation entered the United States smoothly on 5 June 2026, with only two individuals being subjected to additional immigration procedures.
While the embassy did not publicly identify either individual, it confirmed that one of the two had subsequently completed entry formalities and was permitted to enter the country.
However, the second individual was reportedly unable to complete the entry process due to reasons related to U.S. immigration procedures and regulations currently in force.
The Iraqi diplomatic mission emphasized that it remained in close contact with relevant American authorities throughout the process in an effort to clarify the circumstances and assist in resolving the situation as quickly as possible.
The statement also highlighted that entry into the United States falls primarily under the authority of U.S. immigration agencies, which operate independently and apply established laws, regulations and security procedures to all travelers.
For Iraq’s national team, the episode has created an unexpected distraction ahead of their scheduled activities in the United States.
Hussein remains one of the most influential figures in Iraqi football and a key player for the national team, making any uncertainty surrounding his availability a significant talking point among supporters.
Credit Phtoo : Iraq FA
