In recent men’s World Cup events, FIFA has navigated through complex immigration hurdles with relative ease. Back in 2014, Brazil introduced a law that allowed ticket holders to obtain free temporary visas. During the tournaments in Russia and Qatar, both nations utilized Fan IDs and Hayya cards to circumvent traditional entry barriers, providing complimentary public transport in the process. However, as the 2026 tournament approaches, FIFA finds itself ensnared in the stringent border policies of the second Trump administration. Here’s a look at those affected by the situation.
Omar Artan’s Entry Denied
Omar Artan, one of the 52 referees selected by FIFA for the World Cup, faced refusal of entry upon his arrival in Miami. Artan was poised to make history as the first individual from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup.
FIFA noted that he “will be unable to train and officiate,” distancing itself from the diplomatic fallout. The organization stated, “FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications… it is ultimately the host government that decides who receives a visa and who may enter their territory.”
Somali Referee Remains Positive Amid Visa Issues
Despite being barred from entering the United States for the World Cup, Omar Artan has expressed optimism regarding his future in refereeing. The 34-year-old, who was honored as the 2025 men’s referee of the year by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), arrived in Miami from Istanbul on Saturday but was turned away by US Customs and Border Protection.
“In spite of these challenges, I am in a positive mood and focused on the upcoming opportunities in my refereeing career,” Artan stated, as reported by local media.
“I want to extend my gratitude to FIFA and CAF for their unwavering support, and I vow to maintain my officiating standards while looking ahead. I appreciate the football community for their encouragement and wish my fellow referees success during the World Cup, hoping to reunite with them in future events.”
Reports indicate that at least 15 officials and staff from Iran’s national team, deemed “essential” for their campaign, have also been denied entry. While the US maintains that all necessary support personnel were granted access, Iran’s football federation claims that their ticket allocations for group matches have been revoked, allegedly to limit the presence of Iranian fans.
“We are disappointed by this behavior,” stated head coach Amir Ghalenoei. “This situation has never occurred before.”
As a result, Iran has relocated its training facility to Tijuana, Mexico. The team now faces the logistical challenge of commuting into the US for their Group G matches in Inglewood and Seattle. Iran’s ambassador to Mexico has indicated that the squad must enter and exit US territory on the same day as their games, which complicates their ability to fulfill FIFA’s media obligations before each match, a point that Iranian state television has contradicted.
The Iraqi Player and Team Photographer’s Struggles
The ongoing conflict involving Iran has had serious repercussions for Iraqi football as well. With US consular services in Iraq suspended, obtaining standard visas has become nearly impossible.
For those with existing paperwork, the border situation remains challenging. Aymen Hussein, a 30-year-old Al-Karma striker, was detained and questioned for nearly seven hours at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport before finally being granted entry. Conversely, team photographer Talal Salah was less fortunate, facing over 10 hours of detention and ultimately being denied entry following a search of his mobile device.
Delays for the South African Squad
South Africa’s journey to the World Cup, where they are set to face Mexico in the opening match on June 11, has been significantly delayed due to issues with documentation. After a festive departure parade, their chartered flight from Johannesburg to Mexico City was grounded because several athletes lacked the proper Mexican entry documents.
This situation appears to stem from administrative oversight rather than malicious intent. South Africa’s sports minister, Gayton McKenzie, labeled the ordeal as “embarrassing and grossly unfair to the players and coaching staff,” placing the blame on the South African Football Association.
Visa Woes for Swiss Forward
Swiss forward Breel Embolo encountered significant delays as he joined his teammates late for their Group B training camp due to complications with his US entry visa. This issue reportedly arose from a 2023 conviction involving multiple threats, resulting in a suspended fine for the player. To resolve the matter, the Rennes striker had to make an urgent visit to the US embassy in Bern to obtain last-minute approval to travel.
Scottish Fans Facing Travel Hurdles
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (Esta) program has also thrown British fans into disarray. Reports indicate that two separate families intending to support Scotland on their first World Cup trip since 1998 found their previously approved statuses unexpectedly revoked just days before their planned departure.
The Speirs brothers from Kirkcaldy submitted their Esta applications on December 14, receiving approval the next day, only to discover on June 3 that their travel had been marked as “not authorized.”
High Costs and Travel Restrictions
For fans from countries outside the limited group eligible for the Esta program, the challenges of entry are not just bureaucratic but also financial. While an Esta costs $40 (£30), a standard visitor visa can set fans back $185 (£140), a hefty price to pay before even considering flight and ticket expenses.
Since Donald Trump commenced his second term in office, the likelihood of gaining US entry has dramatically decreased. A broad travel ban currently partially restricts citizens from 39 countries from entering the US, while immigrant visa processing has come to a complete standstill in 75 nations.
Among the 48 teams competing in this World Cup, Haiti and Iran face total bans from entering the US, while Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal encounter partial restrictions. Moreover, various competing nations experience US visa rejection rates exceeding 40%, including Uzbekistan and Ecuador, alongside numerous representatives from Africa and the Middle East.
Recently, the US did grant one minor concession by waiving a $15,000 visa bond that threatened fans from five African countries – Algeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Tunisia. For thousands of supporters, journalists, and officials, this World Cup, touted as the largest in modern history, is quickly becoming the most difficult to access.
