FIFA World Cup 2026: Players Detained, Referees Deported — US Immigration Policies Draw Global Criticism

FIFA World Cup 2026 has kicked off amid controversy. Even before the tournament began, several players, referees, officials, and fans faced visa delays, lengthy interrogations, and outright entry denials at US borders.
The most prominent case was that of Iraqi striker Ayman Hussein, who was held for seven hours at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. His teammate, team photographer Talal Salah, was detained for over ten hours before being refused entry entirely. US Customs and Border Protection cited “security screening concerns” as the reason.
Somali FIFA-appointed referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan faced perhaps the most high-profile rejection — detained for eleven hours at Miami International Airport before being deported to Istanbul. FIFA confirmed he will play no part in the tournament. The US Soccer Federation president revealed he personally spoke with the Secretary of Homeland Security and supported the decision to deny Artan entry.
Iran’s players eventually received visas, but only days before their first match. Dozens of support staff and federation officials — including federation president Mehdi Taj — were denied visas altogether. The team was forced to relocate its training base from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico at the last minute. All tickets allocated to Iranian fans for their three group-stage matches were also cancelled without public explanation.
Senegal, Uzbekistan, Morocco, and South Africa also reported difficulties, with fans from several nations unable to obtain visas despite having purchased match tickets.
Former England striker Ian Wright called it a “chaotic World Cup,” while British Columbia Premier David Eby invited referee Artan to officiate matches in Vancouver, saying he would be “welcomed and respected.”
These incidents have unfolded against the backdrop of President Trump’s stricter immigration policies, drawing widespread criticism over how a host nation is treating the world’s biggest sporting event.