Football: The 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup
By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
This major tournament, which kicks off on 11 June 2026, continues to be controversial before it has even started, with, amongst other things, excessive ticket prices and their questionable allocation and sale, and visa restrictions.
Now, a leading FIFA referee has been refused entry to the United States, despite having the correct papers.
Omar Artan, the number one referee from Somalia, Africa, flew into Miami to join the other 51 referees, and, following an 11-hour interrogation by immigration officials, was put on a plane and sent back home.
It appears that he was suspected of being associated with members of terrorist organisations in Somalia.
The incident has been described as a farce and has raised concerns about the potential presence of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials at stadiums, where the matches will be played, and how fans might be treated.
FIFA has taken a neutral position on this incident, and the question is being asked, in several quarters, whether FIFA is losing control of the event, at least off the field of play.
As the French say: on vera!
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
