EXCLUSIVE
Australian authorities have knocked back a request from world football’s powerful governing body, FIFA, to allow Palestine Football Association president Jibril Rajoub into the country for Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier against the Socceroos in Perth.
The Palestinian men’s team were scheduled to land in WA’s capital on a private jet from Doha about 8.30am on Saturday (AWST) but Rajoub was not on the flight after the Department of Home Affairs sensationally denied his visa application.
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Fans gathered at the airport to greet the team.
Rajoub, who is also head of the Palestine Olympic Committee, is a political leader and former militant who FIFA once investigated over allegations he “glorified terrorism”.
He was also banned by FIFA for “inciting hatred and violence” towards Argentina megastar Lionel Messi.
The department was tight-lipped on the decision when approached by 7NEWS, saying “all non-citizens applying for visas to enter Australia are considered on an individual basis against legal requirements set out in Australia’s migration legislation”.
It is understood FIFA, the world game’s leading authority, had tried to use its significant political power to intervene, but it did little to sway Australian authorities.
“As is standard procedure for all FIFA World Cup 2026 preliminary round matches, the relevant participating member associations are in regular contact concerning the match organisation, which includes visa requirements amongst other things, to ensure that each match is delivered as smoothly as possible,” FIFA said in a statement.
Australia takes on Palestine at HBF Park on Tuesday night in the second round of Asian qualifiers.
The Socceroos continued their march to the 2026 World Cup in North America with a 2-0 win over Bangladesh at Bashundhara Kings Arena in Dhaka on Thursday.
World No.24 Australia is top of group I and already into the next round of qualifying, having gone undefeated from five games without conceding a goal.
Pending other results, a win against Palestine could see Australia move up the world rankings and ensure a better seeding for the next draw.