ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – The Iraq Football Association on Wednesday denied reports circulating on social media that a number of Iraqi players were denied US visas ahead of their participation in the World Cup.

Rumors began circulating across social media that five players on the Iraqi national team’s roster had been denied entry to the US for the World Cup, despite Iraq’s late qualification to the prestigious tournament.

“The news is false, and the truth is that all the national team players have obtained entry visas to America,” Hussein al-Khorasani, the media head of the Iraq Football Association President Adnan Darjal’s office, told The New Region.

“All the players have been granted US visas,” association member Firas Bahr al-Uloom also told The New Region, adding that the players’ passports were sent to obtain Canadian visas on Tuesday.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be jointly hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, marks Iraq’s first qualification since 1986, when Argentine footballing sensation Diego Maradona led his team to glory.

The Lions of Mesopotamia secured their spot in the World Cup in early April, after a 2-1 nailbiter victory over Bolivia.

The 2026 tournament features a new 48-team format, up from the previous 32 teams that have historically competed for the title.

Iraq is set to play heavy hitters such as France, Norway, and Senegal in the group stages, being challenged by football superstars such as Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, and Sadio Mane.