Iraq striker Aymen Hussein scores at World Cup following US border ordeal
Iraq striker Aymen Hussein has scored his nation’s first World Cup goal since 1986 against Norway, just days after enduring hours of interrogation by United States immigration officials.
The 30-year-old found the net in Foxborough to cancel out Erling Haaland’s opener during a tense Group I encounter.
His historic strike comes in the wake of a grueling seven-hour detainment at Chicago’s O’Hare airport two weeks prior.
According to an Iraqi sporting official, the frontman had his mobile phone inspected by border authorities upon arrival.
Team photographer denied entry
While the forward was eventually granted clearance to enter the host nation, others within the camp were less fortunate.
The national side’s official photographer, Talal Salah, was held for over 10 hours before being formally denied entry into the United States.
This off-field disruption sharply contrasted with the initial warm welcome the squad received from travelling supporters waving flags in the airport terminal.
Overcoming childhood tragedy
Representing his country on the global stage marks a monumental personal milestone for the former Al Khor attacker.
He endured severe trauma when his father was murdered while the future international was just 12 years old.
The talisman nearly abandoned the sport to support his relatives, but credits his mother for ensuring he stayed on the pitch.
I decided to quit playing football to take care of my family, but my mother refused.
She asked me to continue playing.
Record-breaking return to Iraq
Earning a reported $1m contract with Al Karma, the prolific goalscorer is currently his homeland’s most expensive domestic player.
He lines up alongside promising talents such as Ipswich Town’s Ali Al-Hamadi to form a potent attacking force.
Despite his current financial success, the veteran maintains that representing domestic giants Dohuk earlier in his career was his ultimate ambition.
Honestly, I was ready to play for free.
You may not imagine what it meant to me to play with players from the Iraqi national team at that time.
