FIFA faces scrutiny as visa denials hit World Cup preparation

by · The Eagle Online

FIFA is facing mounting scrutiny over its assurances of smooth access to the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a series of border, visa and ticketing disputes emerged days before the tournament begins.

The latest controversy involves Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who has been ruled out of the tournament after being denied entry into the United States despite being selected as one of FIFA’s match officials.

FIFA confirmed the development in a statement on Monday, saying Artan would no longer be able to participate in preparations or officiate at the competition.

FIFA said: “FIFA can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States.

“FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan’s status will not be changed at present.

“In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country.”

Artan, who was set to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a World Cup finals, reportedly arrived at Miami International Airport on June 6 on a flight from Istanbul, Turkey.

Despite travelling with a valid visa and a diplomatic passport facilitated by the Somali Embassy, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials reportedly denied him entry during a routine screening process.

He was subsequently returned to Turkey, where he remains.

The referee’s exclusion has triggered criticism in Somalia, with the country’s Ministry of Youth and Sports arguing that preventing a FIFA-appointed official from entering the tournament undermines football’s commitment to fairness, merit and fair play.

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The development has also revived attention on comments made by FIFA President Gianni Infantino in August 2025, when he dismissed concerns about possible visa restrictions ahead of the tournament.

Speaking in Nairobi after a meeting with the Confederation of African Football, Infantino said: “I think it’s important to clarify this.

“There is a lot of misconception out there. Everyone will be welcome in Canada, Mexico and the United States for the FIFA World Cup next year. We are working exactly for that.

“Obviously, there is a process to go through to get visas and so on.

“This process will be smooth, it will ensure that those that qualify will be able to come with their fans.”

The FIFA president also pointed to cooperation from the United States government and the successful staging of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup as evidence that travel arrangements would function smoothly.

However, Artan’s case is not the only issue to emerge before kickoff.

Swiss striker Breel Embolo reportedly experienced travel disruptions after his Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) application was placed under administrative review, delaying his arrival with the Swiss squad.

The Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) also announced that its official eight per cent ticket allocation had been withdrawn, leaving thousands of supporters without access to stadium seats ahead of Iran’s opening match against New Zealand in Los Angeles.

The Iranian national team has also faced logistical challenges after U.S. authorities reportedly denied visas to more than a dozen delegation members, forcing the team to establish its training base in Tijuana, Mexico, and travel into the United States only for matchdays.

The growing controversy has sparked debate about host-country obligations during FIFA tournaments.

A South African journalist recalled that the country enacted special legislation before hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup to meet FIFA requirements and facilitate entry for players, officials, media personnel and visitors.

The journalist wrote on X: “As South Africa, we hosted the World Cup in 2010. Upon the insistence of FIFA & in accordance with the Host Country & Host City Agreements, we had to waiver laws, by-laws, policies, regulations, processes & the like, to ensure that South Africa became the ultimate hosts of the world during the period.

“We passed special legislation specifically to meet FIFA’s hosting requirements for the 2010 World Cup.

“The most important were the ‘2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Special Measures Act, 2006 (Act 11 of 2006)’ and the ‘Second 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Special Measures Act, 2006 (Act 12 of 2006)’.

“These laws were enacted to give legal effect to the guarantees we had made to FIFA during the bidding process.

“The special laws effected temporary special provisions & exceptions in certain areas, including: Special visa, work permit, & accreditation arrangements for players, officials, media & visitors.

“These requirements were not exclusive to South Africa, as Korea & Japan (2002), Germany (2006), Brazil (2014), Russia (2018), Qatar (2022), had to enact the same.”

FIFA has yet to issue an updated statement addressing how the emerging disputes align with the assurances given by tournament organisers ahead of the World Cup, which kicks off on June 11.

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