US Immigration Crackdown Questions FIFA’s Control of 2026 World Cup

The United States is set to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but a shocking incident involving Somalia’s top referee, Omar Artan, has raised doubts about the host nation’s oversight of the tournament.

Artan – who recently refereed the U‑20 World Cup in Chile and the African Champions League final – was detained for 11 hours in Miami, underwent a prolonged immigration interview, and was then forced back onto a flight to Mogadishu when he failed to meet the U.S. border officials’ expectations.

The episode coincides with the Trump administration’s travel ban on travelers from Somalia and other nations, and it follows statements by U.S. officials labeling Somali citizens as “garbage” and demanding that they “go back to where they came from.” These remarks have led many to question the extent of FIFA’s influence over the event. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has repeatedly emphasised that visa issues fall outside its jurisdiction and that any qualified official must be able to access the host country.

In addition to Artan, other FIFA delegates, team officials, and even entire national squads are reportedly facing intense scrutiny at U.S. airports. An unfettered immigration crackdown has seen Iranian team staff denied visas, and there is speculation that the entire Iranian squad might fail to enter the U.S. in time for their matches. The situation has sparked debate over whether the World Cup will truly be a FIFA‑run event or a U.S.‑controlled spectacle.

Football experts argue that the U.S. government’s focus on security and immigration policy could undermine the welcoming atmosphere vital for an international sporting event, and that the lack of coordination between FIFA and U.S. authorities may jeopardise the experience for fans, players, and officials alike.

With the tournament’s opening match only a few days away, the restriction of a high‑profile referee and the exclusion of entire national teams highlights the crucial question that fans, administrators and players alike are wrestling with: can FIFA still oversee and protect the spirit of the World Cup in the face of a host nation’s stringent immigration agenda?