Iraq’s standout World Cup forward, Aymen Hussein, faced a protracted detention at Chicago’s O’Hare airport upon arrival with his national team squad on Saturday, as confirmed by an Iraqi sports official affiliated with the Olympic Committee.
After comprehensive questioning lasting seven hours, Hussein was cleared for entry. However, the squad’s dedicated photographer, Talal Salah, was denied admission after being detained for over ten hours and subjected to identical device inspections, according to the official’s statement to media sources.
The Iraqi Football Association and Hussein himself have not issued public statements regarding the incident. The striker, renowned for scoring Iraq’s crucial qualification goal, holds significant cultural stature as the team prepares to compete in the tournament for the first time since its 1980 debut.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security did not respond to inquiries about the reported security protocols. Social media footage captured overwhelming fan enthusiasm at the airport, with supporters waving Iraqi flags and requesting player photographs just days before the North American-hosted World Cup commencement.
This incident adds to heightened security measures surrounding the team’s preparations. Hussein, now 30, continues to spearhead Iraq’s attack alongside Ali Al-Hamadi of Ipswich Town, alongside promising young talents Ali Jassim and Youssef Amyn. The national team faces France, Senegal, and Norway in Group I, with matches commencing Thursday in the trilateral co-hosted tournament.
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