USA denies entry to Somalian referee for World Cup, sends back home while FIFA watches in silence

Another off-field controversy has shaken the FIFA World Cup 2026. Somalian official Omar Artan has been denied entry into the United States despite travelling to join FIFA's referee team ahead of the tournament. He had arrived in Miami to take part in final preparations alongside 51 other referees selected for the competition, but underwent an 11-hour interview with immigration authorities before being placed on a flight out of the country.