Top News

Aymen Hussein (right) controls the ball while being marked by Jordi Amat (left) during the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers match between Indonesia and Iraq at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta, Thursday (6 June 2024).

SUPERBALL.ID – Iraq national team striker Aymen Hussein encountered an unexpected incident upon his arrival in the United States (US) as he began preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Aymen Hussein was detained and questioned for nearly seven hours at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, US, on Saturday (6 June 2026).

According to an Iraqi sports official, Hussein’s mobile phone was inspected upon his arrival in the US.

The exact reason why the 30-year-old striker underwent hours of interrogation has not yet been officially confirmed.

Reports suggest that the incident might have stemmed from a case of mistaken identity involving another Iraqi national.

After nearly seven hours of detention and questioning, Hussein was finally permitted to enter the country and rejoin his teammates.

Unfortunately, team photographer Talal Salah was denied entry into the US after more than 10 hours of questioning.

The US Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Homeland Security have yet to issue any statements regarding the incident.

Both the Iraq Football Association (IFA) and Hussein have remained silent about the matter.

“National team photographer Talal Salah was detained for more than 10 hours, subjected to a similar phone inspection, and was ultimately denied entry into the United States,” said the Iraqi sports official.

Hussein is a key figure for the Iraqi national team, having scored the decisive goal that secured Iraq’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

This marks Iraq’s return to the tournament for the first time since their debut in Mexico in 1986.

Hussein has also been a constant threat to the Indonesian national team in recent years whenever the two sides have met in various competitions.

The Al-Karma forward has netted two goals in three appearances against Indonesia — one in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup group stage and another in the second round of the 2026 World Cup Asian qualifiers.

Indonesian defenders have often struggled in one-on-one duels against Hussein, who stands at an imposing 189 cm tall.

At the 2026 World Cup, Hussein will lead Iraq’s attacking line alongside Ali Al-Hamadi from Ipswich Town.

He will also be supported by promising young talents such as Ali Jassim and Youssef Amyn.

Based on the draw results, the team coached by Graham Arnold will face France, Senegal, and Norway in Group I.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, is set to kick off on 11 June.