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INSANE: 3 | Vintage Vibes

Infantino defends World Cup ticket prices, says fans 'should chill' about ref denied US entry

The 2026 men's World Cup has been expanded to 48 teams and is the biggest and most ambitious in the event's history, with matches taking place in Mexico, Canada and the United States.

Euronews

World Cup 2026: Who Is Omar Artan and Why Was He Denied Entry to the US?

Omar Artan, a prominent Somali referee, was denied entry to the US, ending his World Cup dream and sparking controversy over immigration policies.

International Business Times UK

Olympic chief ‘confident’ LA Games will not repeat World Cup referee fiasco

Kirsty Coventry said the IOC will have a taskforce for the 2028 LA Games, days after the World Cup referee Omar Artan was refused entry by US officials

The Guardian - UK

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8 Vicious Acts By The USA As The World Cup Is Set To Begin That Triggered Worldwide Uproar

"This is the most World Cup attention the US has ever gotten and it's for all the worst reasons.”

Bored Panda

Desiré and Guéla Doué lead way at World Cup bursting with brotherly love

In today’s Football Daily: a World Cup stuffed full of siblings

The Guardian - UK

Somali referee denied US visa gets hero’s welcome back home, vows to attend next World Cup

Hundreds of fans, government and football officials gathered at Mogadishu's airport Wednesday to welcome Omar Artan after the Somali refree was denied entry to the US for the World Cup. Somalia's dream of having its first national officiate a World Cup may have been dashed, but Artan told his supporters…

France 24

Somali referee denied entry to US ahead of World Cup due to ‘bad actor’ links, White House claims

IN FULL

The Independent UK

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‘Not Right’—Barred Somali Referee Sent World Cup Invitation by Canadian Politicians

Omar Artan was refused entry by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, despite having all of the necessary visa paperwork.

Sports Illustrated

Who is Omar Artan? The Somalian World Cup referee denied entry to the US

The Somali referee was due to become his country’s first to officiate the World Cup

The Independent UK

Somali World Cup referee Omar Artan receives warm welcome home after being denied entry to US

Andrew Giuliani, who is leading the White House task force for the FIFA World Cup, has said Artan was denied entry to the US for a "very good reason," without offering further details.

Euronews

FIFA World Cup 2026: Football body's chief Infantino faces questions on eve of tournament

FIFA President Gianni Infantino will address the media before the 2026 World Cup. Concerns linger over high ticket prices and United States immigration policies. Somali referee, Omar Artan was denied entry. Protests are also anticipated in Mexico City with the potential to disrupt the games. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi showed good…

The Economic Times

White House explains why it denied Somali referee entry to US for World Cup

IN FULL

The Independent UK

The most inclusive World Cup ever? Tell that to Omar Artan, the Somali referee just banned by Trump’s US

This episode feels symbolic of a World Cup where the global game has been sacrificed to Fifa’s cynical money-making – and Trumpian whim, says Morgan Ofori, reporter and subeditor for the Guardian’s The Long Wave

The Guardian - UK

Somali World Cup ref held for 11 hours by Trump’s border police receives hero’s welcome at home and vows to return

A World Cup referee from Somalia, Omar Artan, was met by a crowd of supporters and officials in Mogadishu on Wednesday after being denied entry to the United States.

The Independent UK

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The Independent UK

Somali World Cup referee denied entry to US arrives home to hero's welcome

A World Cup referee from Somalia who was denied entry to the United States has returned to Somali’s capital of Mogadishu, where he was received by a crowd of supporters and officials

The Independent UK

Trump administration says Somali referee denied US entry over links to ‘terror organisation’ suspects

Omar Artan, who was Africa’s referee of the year in 2025, endured an 11-hour immigration interview before being denied entry to the US last weekend despite being issued with a valid visa

Bangkok Post

Somalia backs referee after he is denied entry to US

MOGADISHU - Somalia on Tuesday defended award-winning referee Omar Artan after he was denied entry to the United States and prevented from becoming the first Somali official to officiate at a World Cup finals.

France 24

Kenya: One dead in protest against US Ebola quarantine centre

In tonight's programme: Violence flares in Kenya, leaving at least one person dead, as police confront protesters over an Ebola quarantine centre planned for US citizens. Also, there's outrage over the US ban on referee Omar Artan, who was set to make history as the first Somali to officiate at…

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The Guardian - UK

Two sleeps from the World Cup and geopolitics are shining bright

In today’s Football Daily: World Cup week continues, ‘Card Master’ and farewell Divock Origi

The Independent UK

Everything wrong with the 2026 World Cup

WORLD CUP 2026: From unprecedented wars and rip-off ticket prices to Gianni Infantino selling football’s soul and Donald Trump’s determination to create a “Maga World Cup”, Miguel Delaney details how the 2026 tournament has been riddled with controversy

The Independent UK

Somali referee speaks out after being refused entry into US for World Cup 2026

Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan says he has had his World Cup dreams dashed after he was refused entry at the US border.

Euronews

World Cup border issues continue as Cannavaro questions Uzbekistan security frisk

Iran's World Cup ticket allocation has been cancelled, and 13 delegation members remain without visas, forcing the team to base itself in Mexico. Meanwhile, a Somali referee was turned away, an Iraqi striker was held for seven hours in Chicago, and Senegalese players were body-searched on arrival.

Euronews

Top African referee denied entry into the US and will miss World Cup

A FIFA spokesperson confirmed in a statement that Artan, who says he was detained for 11 hours at Miami International Airport, would play no part in the World Cup.

The Independent UK

Frustrated Ian Wright criticises ‘World Cup of chaos’ after African referee denied entry

Ex-England star and pundit Wright cut a forlorn figure in an Instagram video two days before the tournament starts

Euronews

Host cities ready for kickoff in biggest World Cup ever as fans lament visa bans and ticket prices

The United States will host roughly 75% of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with 78 of the 104 matches in the entire tournament taking place in 11 host cities.

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