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Referee and fans stopped from World Cup: 'Raises serious questions'
🇸🇪 Sweden /Sports

Referee and fans stopped from World Cup: 'Raises serious questions'

From Dagens Nyheter · () Swedish

Translated from Swedish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the United States and will not officiate at the World Cup, despite having approved entry permits.
  • Iranian fans are also reportedly being stopped from attending the World Cup after FIFA withdrew their tickets, raising concerns about political interference.
  • Scottish fans have also been warned that their approved Esta status does not guarantee entry into the U.S., with some seeing their status change without explanation.

The World Cup is facing controversy as more individuals are denied entry into the United States, despite possessing approved travel documents. Somali referee Omar Artan, who was set to become the first from his country to officiate at a World Cup, was stopped upon arrival at a Miami airport.

"Omar Abdulkadir Artan will not be able to train and officiate during the 2026 World Cup after being denied entry to the USA," an AFP spokesperson for FIFA stated. Artan was reportedly stopped despite having an approved entry permit, according to Ciise Aden Abshir, an advisor at Somalia's Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Omar Abdulkadir Artan will not be able to train and officiate during the 2026 World Cup after being denied entry to the USA.

— FIFA spokespersonConfirming the exclusion of the Somali referee from the tournament.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a statement saying, "The traveler, a World Cup referee, was deemed not to be admissible due to concerns during the background check." The exact nature of these concerns was not specified.

The traveler, a World Cup referee, was deemed not to be admissible due to concerns during the background check.

— U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)Explaining the reason for denying entry to Omar Artan.

Adding to the controversy, Iranian fans are reportedly being prevented from attending the World Cup. FIFA has withdrawn their tickets, causing significant disruption for supporters who had planned their travel. The Iranian Football Federation, according to Reuters, stated, "This development raises serious questions about the involvement of non-sporting and political considerations in the organization of the world's largest football event."

Scottish football fans have also received warnings that their approved Esta (electronic travel authorization) does not guarantee entry into the U.S. Some fans have reported their status changing from 'approved' to 'not approved for travel' without any explanation, just days before the tournament begins.

This development raises serious questions about the involvement of non-sporting and political considerations in the organization of the world's largest football event.

— Iranian Football FederationExpressing concern over the denial of entry for Iranian fans.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dagens Nyheter in Swedish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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