Sports

Iranian national team players wave the country’s flag on the pitch following a match. (Photo credit: Supplied / Getty Images)
Immigration Politics

Iran Claims FIFA and US Organizers Revoked Ticket Allocation for 2026 World Cup Fans

Vetting Disruption: In a stunning development just days before the tournament's opening match, award-winning referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been officially dropped from the 2026 FIFA World Cup officiating roster after being denied entry into the United States. Flying from Istanbul to Miami International Airport to attend a mandatory pre-tournament FIFA match officials seminar, the 34-year-old Somali national was turned away by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and immediately placed on a return flight. In an official statement, CBP confirmed that despite holding a valid U.S. visa and a diplomatic passport, Artan was deemed inadmissible following additional inspection due to administrative "vetting concerns". Graphic: Agence France-Presse / Associated Press
Immigration Sports

Somali Referee Omar Artan Denied US Entry, Dropped from 2026 World Cup Officials List

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Sports

Shooting Near England’s World Cup Base Camp in Kansas City Raises Security Questions