Traditionally, international sports competitions are seen as a way of overlooking division and differences, and disregarding geopolitics tension - which is the reason why North Korea competes in the Olympics for example. But this year's World Cup is proving an exception. Residents of countries placed on a US travel restriction list are finding their attendance at the World Cup is not garanteed. FRANCE 24's Kethevane Gorjestani explains.
2026 World Cup participation conditional to US travel restrictions
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Story Timeline
Mon 21:39 - France 24
Somali referee dropped from World Cup after being refused entry to US
Mon 21:42 - BBC Headlines
Somali referee Artan barred from entering US ahead of World Cup
Tue 02:10 - DW All
Somali referee denied US entry, dropped from FIFA World Cup 2026
Tue 02:10 - DW Top
Somali referee denied US entry, dropped from FIFA World Cup 2026
Tue 09:46 - Time Magazine
Somali Referee Denied Entry to U.S. for World Cup - Time Magazine
Tue 10:33 - France 24
World Cup referee refused entry as US travel restrictions affect over 25% of participants
Tue 12:01 - Yahoo Sports
Somali referee Artan barred from entering US - Yahoo Sports
Tue 13:02 - France 24
World Cup overshadowed by US travel restrictions and the war in Iran
Tue 13:13 - Sky Sports
Somali referee dropped from World Cup: Omar Artan misses out on tournament after US visa denial - Sky Sports
Tue 13:19 - The New York Times
Somali referee denied entry to U.S. ahead of World Cup - The Athletic - The New York Times
Tue 14:33 - Yahoo Sports
Somali World Cup Referee Denied Entry to United States Ahead of Tournament - Yahoo Sports
Tue 14:54 - Newsday
World Cup ref denied entry to the US was about to make history for Somalia - Newsday
Tue 15:23 - France 24
2026 World Cup participation conditional to US travel restrictions
Tue 15:42 - WVIR
World Cup referee from Somalia denied entry into the US - WVIR
Tue 15:55 - Mother Jones
US Denies Entry to Africa’s Referee of the Year Ahead of World Cup - Mother Jones