Baghdad-INA
The Iraqi Embassy in Washington on Sunday clarified the circumstances surrounding the delayed entry of two members of Iraq’s national football team delegation into the U.S. city of Chicago.
In a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), the embassy said it had made extensive efforts in recent days through continuous communication with the U.S. Department of State and relevant authorities, while coordinating with competent officials in Chicago, to facilitate and arrange the arrival of the Iraqi football delegation, comprising 62 members, to the city.
The embassy stated that all members of the delegation entered the United States smoothly on June 5, 2026, with the exception of two individuals who were subjected to additional procedures by U.S. immigration authorities. It added that the embassy closely monitored the matter through ongoing contact with the relevant U.S. agencies in order to obtain details regarding the procedures and expedite their completion.
According to the statement, entry procedures for one of the two individuals have been completed, while the other was unable to enter the country due to reasons related to immigration procedures and regulations enforced by the competent authorities.
The embassy emphasized that entry into the United States falls largely within the jurisdiction of U.S. immigration authorities, an independent body that applies the relevant laws, standards and procedures to all individuals, and whose decisions are not subject to interference by any other party.