World Cup 2026 visa chaos: From referee Omar Artan to Iranian officials – who is affected?

The upcoming 2026 World Cup is facing significant disruptions due to visa and travel complications, prominently affecting Somali referee Omar Artan and Iran's national football delegation. Artan, who was poised to make history as the first Somali to officiate at a World Cup, was denied entry into the United States despite possessing valid travel documents, leading to his removal from the official roster. FIFA has confirmed his inability to participate, emphasizing that immigration decisions ultimately rest with the host nations.

Further complicating the tournament, Iran's World Cup involvement is severely hampered by denied US visas for several support staff and officials. The Iranian Football Federation also alleges that its allocated ticket quota for fans has been revoked by the US, sparking accusations of deliberate obstruction. Consequently, the Iranian team has been compelled to establish its training base in Mexico, necessitating cross-border travel for each of its matches held in the United States.

These incidents underscore growing concerns regarding how stringent immigration policies of host countries might impact the global inclusivity and operational aspects of major international sporting events like the World Cup.