Key facts
- Iraq's World Cup striker Aymen Hussein was questioned for nearly seven hours at Chicago's O'Hare airport.
- Hussein was eventually allowed to enter the United States.
- The Iraqi team's photographer, Talal Salah, was denied entry.
- Hussein's phone was inspected by U.S. authorities.
- Iraq is returning to the World Cup for the first time in 40 years.
Iraq's World Cup striker, Aymen Hussein, was detained and questioned for nearly seven hours upon arrival with the squad at Chicago's O'Hare airport. The questioning, which included an inspection of his phone, occurred early on Saturday. While Hussein was eventually permitted to enter the United States, the team's photographer, Talal Salah, was denied entry after undergoing a similar process and being held for over 10 hours. The Iraqi sporting official, who works for the Iraqi Olympic Committee, provided these details. There has been no immediate comment from the Iraqi Football Association or Hussein himself. This incident occurs less than a week before the World Cup tournament, co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, is set to begin. Iraq is making its first appearance in the World Cup in 40 years.