Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was set to make history this week as the first Somali referee to officiate at a World Cup. Instead, he is watching from outside the United States after being denied entry without explanation by the Trump administration. This incident raises questions about the inclusivity of the 2026 World Cup, which FIFA touts as the most inclusive ever.
FIFA's Revenue and Expansion
FIFA is projecting revenues of $8.9 billion from this tournament, double the 2024 Olympics. With 48 teams, up from 32, and 104 matches over 39 days, the tournament is a commercial success. However, the exclusion of Artan and other officials suggests that not everyone is welcome.
Artan's Disappointment
Artan, named Africa's best male referee last year and FIFA-accredited since 2018, expressed deep disappointment. "I'm just simply a referee who's trying to live his dream – the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup," he told the New York Times. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud called him "a symbol of inspiration for the new generation of Somalis."
Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House taskforce on the World Cup, supported the decision, saying, "While I can't go into the derog on that, I can tell you it was the right decision by customs and border patrol."
FIFA's Inaction
FIFA forced previous hosts like South Africa and Germany to guarantee visas for accredited officials, but the US is exempt. FIFA responded weakly: "FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes... A host government ultimately determines who receives a visa." Critics argue this allows Trump administration whims to undermine the global game.
Iranian and Journalist Issues
The Iranian football federation reported that fan tickets were revoked, the team's training base moved from Arizona to Mexico City, and several staff denied visas. The International Sports Press Association highlighted "unacceptable" visa denials for journalists, especially from Iran and Africa, with some given single entries preventing return after following teams to Canada or Mexico.
Progress Set Back
A record 10 African countries are represented at this World Cup, a step forward from Eurocentric tournaments. FIFA has invested over $1.2 billion in African football since 2016. However, the expansion is also a commercial move to unlock revenue and secure political loyalty from Africa's 54 voting nations. The treatment of Artan suggests these nations are an afterthought.
FIFA's Complicity
FIFA's leader, Gianni Infantino, has cultivated ties with Donald Trump, but now the US president's policies affect the tournament. Instead of acting, FIFA shrugs and counts dollars. Somali officials said, "Preventing [Artan] undermines football's commitment to fairness, merit, and the spirit of fair play." FIFA should honour that commitment, but currently, honour is in short supply.
