Does referee case show Fifa has lost control of its own World Cup?

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Does referee case show Fifa has lost control of its own World Cup? Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Fifa president Gianni Infantino has ingratiated himself with US President Donald Trump over the past two yearsByDale Johnson Football issues correspondentPublished45 minutes agoThere had always been real concerns that supporters would have difficulties getting into the United States for the 2026 World Cup. The tournament is supposed to bring together the best of the best in football - players, coaches and officials.

Omar Artan is the number one referee from Africa. He will not be allowed to officiate at the World Cup. Artan, from Somalia, flew into Miami to join up with the other 51 referees.

The Details

After what he says was an 11-hour grilling by immigration officials, he was put back on a plane. "It is pretty clear that the fears of an ideological and discriminatory visa policy from the US government is being realised," said Piara Powar, executive director of discrimination campaign group Fare. "Never have we seen the farce of an official Fifa referee being refused entry as he arrives for final preparations.

"Concerns remain about the potential presence of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at stadiums, and how fans could be affected. With 48 hours still to go until the World Cup kicks off, does Fifa have little control about what will happen outside the stadiums? Artan earned his World Cup dreamImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Omar Artan has refereed several major games over the past 12 months, including the African Champions League final and the third-place play-off of the U-20 World Cup in ChileAfter the controversy of the 2018 and 2022 tournaments in Russia and Qatar, the 2026 edition was supposed to give everyone a chance to concentrate on the football.

Remarkably, this World Cup is in danger of being more controversial. The astronomical cost of tickets, a subpoena over ticket practices, criticism of Fifa over hotel bookings and transport prices have dogged the build-up. But this story is about a member of Fifa's own delegation being subjected to hours of questioning before being put on a flight back to from where they came.

What Experts Say

Artan had a year to remember in 2025, becoming the first Somali to take charge of a continental final. In June 2025, he officiated the second leg of Pyramids FC's African Champions League final victory over Mamelodi Sundowns. Fifa appointed Artan to the U-20 World Cup in Chile, where he took charge of three matches including the third-place play-off.

At the end of the year he refereed two group games at the Africa Cup of Nations, having also officiated at the tournament in 2024. Then in March 2026, Artan received the ultimate accolade which should have been the pinnacle of his career. "Every referee's ambition is to go to the World Cup," Artan told Somali in an interview last week.

"When you are selected, you feel that all your hard work was worth it. Years of effort finally made sense.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.