Iraqi striker Ayman Hussein held for seven hours at Chicago airport

• IFA says delay resulted from routine US security screening
• Several other Iraqi internationals also faced brief checks
• All players were cleared and allowed to enter the US

Iraqi national team striker Aymen Hussein was held by airport authorities in Chicago for seven consecutive hours following his arrival in the United States, sparking brief concern among football officials and fans.

According to an Iraqi Football Association (IFA) source speaking to "Mail," the extended delay was not punitive but rather the result of an exhaustive, routine security clearance process frequently applied to international arrivals entering U.S. territory.

Lengthy wait at border 

Hussein, a crucial talisman for the Iraqi Lions of Mesopotamia, was subjected to a rigorous vetting process that lasted nearly a third of a day. After completing the security screening, federal authorities officially cleared the striker for entry into the country. He was greeted at the terminal by IFA Vice President Mohammad Nasser, who had been waiting at the airport to ensure the player's safe arrival and transition.

Screenings across squad

Hussein was not the only member of the Iraqi national contingent flagged for secondary screening by customs officials. U.S. border authorities also briefly detained a significant portion of the traveling squad, including:

Merdhas Doski, who was held and questioned for approximately two hours. Zidane Iqbal, Youssef Amyn, Ibrahim Bayesh, Fahad Talib, Zaid Tahseen, and Hussein Ali, all of whom were detained for roughly one hour before being cleared.

Despite the rolling administrative delays at the airport, the entire group of players has successfully entered the United States.

The team is expected to move forward with their scheduled itinerary as football officials breathe a sigh of relief that the operational hiccup was resolved without further incident.