In the realm of men’s World Cup events, FIFA has continually navigated through intricate immigration hurdles with relative ease. Back in 2014, Brazil enacted a law that allowed ticket holders to obtain free temporary visas, while both Russia and Qatar circumvented typical border issues by implementing Fan IDs and Hayya cards, which also granted complimentary public transport. The landscape for the 2026 tournament, however, presents a stark contrast, as FIFA grapples with stringent border policies established during the second Trump administration. This has left numerous individuals caught in the crosshairs of these regulations.
Omar Artan’s Entry Denied
Among those impacted is Omar Artan, one of the 52 referees designated by FIFA for the upcoming tournament. Upon his arrival in Miami, Artan was denied entry into the United States. This incident marked a significant moment, as Artan was poised to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a World Cup.
FIFA acknowledged the situation, stating he would not be able to train or officiate during the tournament, distancing itself from any diplomatic repercussions. The organization clarified, “FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications … a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country.”
Finding Positivity Amidst Challenges
Despite the setbacks, Omar Artan, aged 34 and recognized as the 2025 men’s referee of the year by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), expressed a resilient attitude regarding his predicament. After arriving in Miami on a flight from Istanbul, he faced refusal from US Customs and Border Protection.
“Even with these challenges, I remain in a positive mindset and am focused on my future as a referee,” Artan conveyed in a statement, as reported by local media.
“I extend my gratitude to FIFA and CAF for their unwavering support. I am dedicated to maintaining my refereeing standards as I look ahead, and I wish my fellow referees immense success during the World Cup. I eagerly anticipate rejoining them in future competitions.”
Additionally, reports have surfaced indicating that at least 15 Iranian officials and team staff, deemed vital for the campaign, were similarly denied visas. While the US maintains that all necessary support personnel were granted entry, Iran’s football federation claims the co-hosts have retracted ticket allocations for their group matches to hinder Iranian supporters from attending.
Head coach Amir Ghalenoei expressed his dismay, stating, “We are frustrated by this treatment. Such occurrences have never transpired before.”
Given these complications, Iran has relocated its training base to Tijuana, Mexico. The squad now faces the logistical challenge of crossing into the US for their Group G matches in Inglewood and Seattle. Iran’s ambassador to Mexico noted that the team would need to enter and exit US territory on the same day as their games, which would disrupt FIFA-mandated pre-match media obligations, a point that has been contested by Iranian state television.
Challenges for Iraqi Football
The ongoing conflict involving Iran has also severely impacted Iraqi football. With US consular services in Iraq suspended, obtaining standard visas has become nearly impossible.
For those who had already completed their paperwork, the journey has been fraught with difficulties. Aymen Hussein, a 30-year-old striker from Al-Karma, was held for nearly seven hours at Chicago’s O’Hare airport before being granted entry. In contrast, the team’s photographer, Talal Salah, faced a far worse fate, being detained for over ten hours and ultimately denied entry after a thorough examination of his phone.
South Africa’s Travel Troubles
South Africa’s preparations for the World Cup, where they are set to face Mexico in the tournament’s opening match on June 11, were significantly delayed due to paperwork issues. Following an enthusiastic departure parade, their chartered flight from Johannesburg to Mexico City was grounded because several players lacked the necessary entry documents for Mexico.
This situation appears to stem more from administrative errors than intentional wrongdoing. The sports minister of South Africa, Gayton McKenzie, labeled the situation as “embarrassing and deeply unjust to the players and coaching staff,” placing the blame squarely on the South African Football Association.
Swiss Forward Hits a Snag
Swiss forward Breel Embolo encountered obstacles with his US entry visa, forcing him to join his teammates late for their Group B training camp. The issue reportedly stems from a 2023 conviction involving multiple threats, for which the player received a suspended fine. The Cameroon-born striker was compelled to make an urgent visit to the US embassy in Bern to secure last-minute approval for his travel.
Scottish Fans Left in the Lurch
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) procedure has added to the chaos faced by British fans. Reports indicate that two families planning to travel to support Scotland on their first World Cup journey since 1998 found their previously approved statuses unexpectedly revoked just days before departure.
The Speirs brothers from Kirkcaldy submitted their ESTA applications on December 14, received approval the next day, only to discover that their status was marked as “travel not authorized” on June 3.
High Costs and Travel Bans
For fans outside the limited number of nations included in the ESTA program, barriers to entry are both financial and bureaucratic. While an ESTA costs $40 (£30), a standard visitor visa is priced at $185 (£140), presenting a significant financial burden before even considering flight and ticket expenses.
Overall, the likelihood of entering the US has dramatically decreased since Donald Trump took office for a second term. An extensive travel ban currently restricts citizens from 39 countries, while processing for immigrant visas has ceased entirely for individuals from 75 nations.
Among the 48 teams competing in this World Cup, Haiti and Iran face total entry bans, while Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal endure partial restrictions. Additionally, many participating nations report standard US visa rejection rates exceeding 40%, affecting several entrants from Africa and the Middle East.
In a recent concession, the US waived a $15,000 visa bond that threatened fans from five African countries—Algeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Tunisia—just weeks ago. For thousands of supporters, journalists, and officials, this World Cup, touted as the largest in modern history, is fast becoming one of the least accessible.
