Iraq's Team Photographer Denied US Entry Before World Cup

Talal Salah, the official photographer for Iraq's national football team, was held for 10 hours at a US port of entry and ultimately denied admission ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The team is making its first World Cup appearance in 40 years and will now do so without its official photographer. No reason for the denial has been reported. It's a stark, concrete example of how travel and visa access can cut a working photographer out of a major assignment with no recourse.