The preparations for the 2026 World Cup have been overshadowed by visa issues, highlighted by the case of Somali referee Omar Artan being denied entry into the United States. As a result, FIFA had to remove him from the tournament's official list, igniting discussions about the challenges of hosting the event jointly by the US, Canada, and Mexico. The incident brings to light concerns about the ease of access for international referees, teams, and fans traveling between the host countries.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino responded to the controversy by asking for calm, emphasizing that FIFA cannot influence national border regulations. US Customs and Border Protection justified the refusal by referring to negative information in their records. This case underscores the tension between international sports events and national security measures, as well as the broader logistical difficulties of managing a tournament spread across multiple countries.