The United States bid for this tournament on the promise of open, world-class hosting. It signed host agreements with FIFA that carry obligations. Those obligations are now being selectively applied based on the nationality and religion of the people involved.
Out of bounds: Trump’s immigration games are spoiling the 2026 World Cup
Political Leaning Analysis
Score: 0.00 •
Center / Neutral
Left
Center
Right
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
Tue 16:37 - Yahoo Sports
Why Somali referee Omar Artan cannot officiate World Cup games in Canada and Mexico after being denied USA entry - Yahoo Sports
Wed 09:50 - BBC Headlines
World Cup referee denied US entry arrives home to hero's welcome in Somalia
Thu 15:21 - Middle East Eye
World Cup 2026: Somali referee denied entry by US will officiate Uefa Super Cup final
Fri 13:00 - The Hill
Out of bounds: Trump’s immigration games are spoiling the 2026 World Cup