World Cup 2026: Visas denied, referee expelled, targeted checks — controversies mount before kickoff

Two days before the 2026 World Cup kicks off, tensions are multiplying off the pitch, centered on controls at American borders. Jointly organized by Mexico, Canada and the United States, this 23rd edition is held predominantly on American soil, where 78 of the 104 matches are scheduled, including the final.

Incidents have followed one another in recent days. Members of the Iranian delegation reportedly did not obtain their visas. The official photographer of the Iraqi national team was expelled upon arrival on American territory. Iraqi striker Ayman Hussein was detained and questioned for nearly seven hours by immigration services before being able to rejoin his team.

The latest episode: Somali referee Omar Artan, designated by FIFA to officiate during the competition, was denied entry to the United States upon arrival. Without detailed explanation, he was immediately sent back to Turkey, depriving the competition of an official who was nonetheless accredited by world football’s governing body.

Videos circulating on social media have also raised questions about possible differential treatment depending on the national teams. One shows Senegal’s team subjected to a check by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bureau directly on the tarmac, as they disembarked. Another widely shared sequence shows the Uzbekistan national team inspected upon arrival in New York — before a friendly match against the Netherlands, lost 2-1 — with sniffer dogs and metal detectors deployed at the exit of the bus leading to the stadium.

These images fuel questions about the fairness of procedures applied to different delegations, with some observers believing that not all teams are subject to the same level of verification. FIFA, which awarded the organization of this World Cup to three countries whose migration policies differ significantly, has not yet publicly responded to these incidents.