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A video shows Iraqi World Cup fans being confronted in Dallas by a man who shouts: "Don't come to America," has gone viral online, amid inflamed political tensions ahead of the biggest World Cup in history.
Why It Matters
The video has gained worldwide attention amid inflamed political tensions across the globe. The 2026 World Cup is set to be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and is the first time that three nations have hosted the international competition.
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Some 48 teams will compete, up from the usual 32, and 104 games will be played, up from 64.
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But the World Cup will take place amid growing unrest, from the war with Iran to immigration fears in the U.S. There have been continued calls for a boycott, and the viral video underscores the current political tensions.
What To Know
The video, which was posted on Instagram, shows a group of Iraqi sports fans standing in an airport with a banner featuring both Arabic and Spanish writing. The group are seen waving their arms, singing and talking.
Then a man comes in from behind and rips down their banner.
He repeatedly shouts, “You’re in America,” before shouting, “Don’t come to America.”
“You don’t come to America and do that”, he shouts.
The scene quickly becomes chaotic with shouting on both sides. The phone is often facedown during the filming of the video.
The individual shouting, who was dressed in a bright orange jacket, is seen being led away.
The Iraq supporters can be heard shouting, “It’s a game,” and “It’s a football game, sir,” with one shouting, “This is not right.” Expletives are also heard being shouted.
The account @hussein_pepe96, an Iraqi sports commentator, shared the clip on Instagram. It was posted with the caption “The moment Iraqi fans were attacked by a petty person while they were chanting Iraq's name at Dallas Airport,” and has been viewed more than 275,000 times.
It has also been shared by the account @LongTimeHistory on X, where it has amassed more than 1.5 million views.
The clip has prompted backlash online, and concerns for people travelling to the U.S. for the world cup.
What People Are Saying
Luis Moreno, a former U.S. ambassador, in a post on X: “Very personal for me. Served as the U.S. Consul General in Monterrey, incredible place, great people. Have great affinity for Iraqis I met and worked with there. Much respect. They transit our country & are met with disdain, ignorance & violence. I don’t recognize our nation.”
The account @TheBigMoon67 which posts about politics, in a post on X viewed over 65,000 times: “How the f*** are we going to host the FIFA World Cup with these people running the country man.”
One social media user wrote: “The World Cup shouldn’t be played in America.”
What Happens Next
A total of 48 teams have qualified for the 2026 World Cup. The tournament will take place over 37 days, which will begin in Mexico on June 11. Some 103 matches will take place up until the World Cup final, which will be at the MetLife Stadium on July 19.
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