Hussein was finally allowed in, but the team’s photographer was barred from entering the United States, said the ​official who works for the Iraqi Olympic Committee, but has ​close contacts with the team.

There was no immediate comment ⁠from the Iraqi Football Association, or from Hussein, a talismanic figure who scored ​the goal that secured the team’s qualification for the finals.

US Immigration ​and Customs Enforcement and the Homeland Security Department did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment on the reported questioning that was also covered by Iraqi ​media.

Fans came out in the early hours of the morning to ​greet the Iraq squad at the airport, holding flags and asking players to ‌pose ⁠for pictures less than a week before the start of the tournament, video on social media showed.

Hussein’s phone was inspected after he arrived, the Iraqi official said.

“National team photographer Talal Salah was held ​for more than 10 ​hours, underwent ⁠similar phone checks, and was ultimately denied entry into the United States,” the official added.

Iraq are returning ​to the World Cup for the first time ​since making ⁠their debut 40 years ago.

Hussein, 30, leads a potent frontline that also features Ipswich Town’s Ali Al-Hamadi and talented youngsters Ali Jassim and Youssef ⁠Amyn.

Iraq ​face France, Senegal and Norway in Group ​I.

The tournament being co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico gets underway on ​Thursday.