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Zakaria El Ouahdi cleared for World Cup after visa issue resolved

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 12, 2026, 10:51 AM

Last updated Jun 12, 2026

Zakaria El Ouahdi cleared for World Cup after visa issue resolved

Summary

Morocco defender Zakaria El Ouahdi has been cleared to join the Atlas Lions' World Cup camp after a visa issue delayed his travel to the United States in June 2026. Reports suggested that the delay was linked to a problem involving his father's beard, though this explanation remains unverified by official sources. El Ouahdi's visa was ultimately approved before Morocco's World Cup opener against Brazil, scheduled for June 13, 2026. The situation has highlighted broader immigration concerns surrounding the tournament, which takes place across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, in the context of the scrutiny on travel access related to the World Cup.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Key Details

•El Ouahdi faced a visa delay before World Cup training camp.
•Reportedly linked to his father's beard, though unconfirmed.
•He has notable club performance with KRC Genk this season.
•Morocco's opener against Brazil is scheduled for June 13, 2026.
•Tournament spans the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Latest Updates

10:51 AMYahoo Sports — Zakaria El Ouahdi was initially denied a visa because of his father’s beard

What they're saying

"
Morocco defender Zakaria El Ouahdi reportedly faced a visa issue with the United States in June 2026 before being cleared to join the Atlas Lions’ World Cup camp. The KRC Genk player was the subject of reports claiming the issue centred on his father’s beard, but that specific explanation has not been publicly confirmed by US authorities, FIFA, Morocco, Genk or the player.
— Yahoo Sports

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