Three officials from the Palestine Football Association (PFA) have been denied visas to enter Canada for a pre-World Cup meeting of FIFA's member associations in Vancouver this month. The PFA has asked FIFA to intervene with Canadian immigration authorities over the rejections.
The annual FIFA Congress, set for 30 April in Vancouver, is seen as an unofficial start to the 48-team World Cup, which will be held across the US, Canada, and Mexico from 11 June. Palestinian officials had planned to use the event to address Israeli football clubs playing matches in what they argue is occupied Palestinian territory in the West Bank.
Following a PFA submission in 2024, FIFA investigated claims of illegal matches in the occupied territories. A report published in March ruled that FIFA would take no action, stating that the legal status of the West Bank remains an unresolved matter under international law. PFA President Jibril Rajoub had expected to respond to the report at the Vancouver Congress and potentially challenge it at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Rajoub is reportedly among the three officials denied visas, along with the PFA's general secretary and head of legal affairs. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) declined to comment on individual cases but stated that all applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis based on eligibility and admissibility requirements.
The visa denials come amid broader concerns about travel access to the World Cup, with four qualifying nations—Haiti, Iran, Côte d'Ivoire, and Senegal—subject to travel restrictions in the US. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has repeatedly assured that all teams and supporters will be welcome at the tournament.
