Jibril Rajoub, head of the Palestinian Authority's Football Association and a senior Fatah official, said on Friday he had not received a US visa to attend the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
The Palestinian Authority team failed to qualify for the World Cup, but Fifa typically invites football association heads from around the world to the tournament, Rajoub told the Associated Press.
"I don't believe that it’s fair to use or to abuse and deny the right of all footballers all over the world to attend," the veteran Fatah official told the wire agency.
In the same interview, Rajoub praised Russia, saying that when Moscow hosted the 2018 World Cup, it did not implement visa restrictions for people invited to the tournament.
JNS sought comment from the US State Department on Sunday morning.
The Trump administration has previously refused entry to a handful of delegates travelling to attend the tournament, including a referee from Somalia and a photographer travelling with Iraq's team.
Fifa President Gianni Infantino told reporters on June 10 that the organisation had tried to resolve visa issues but was unable to overrule the US government.
"We need to respect that we are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces," he said.
In 2024, then Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz threatened to ban Rajoub from travelling abroad, accusing him of using sports to promote terrorism and violence.
And on April 30, Rajoub refused to stand alongside Israel Football Association Vice President Basim Sheikh Suliman during a tense moment at the Fifa Congress in Vancouver.
Both officials were invited to the stage by Infantino, who attempted to bring them together. Rajoub declined to move closer to Suliman despite Infantino placing a hand on his arm and gesturing for him to do so.
To get more news, click here to sign up for our free daily newsletter.