A Somali football referee selected to participate in the upcoming FIFA World Cup has been denied entry to the United States, preventing him from taking part in the tournament.
US authorities confirmed the decision but did not publicly provide detailed reasons for the refusal, citing confidentiality rules surrounding visa cases. The referee had been appointed to officiate at matches during the competition, which is scheduled to take place in the United States, Canada and Mexico and will feature countries from around the world. The decision has drawn attention due to the international nature of the tournament and the role of match officials selected by football governing bodies. Organisers and football officials have been forced to make alternative arrangements following the referee's inability to travel.
The incident comes amid broader discussions about visa access and travel requirements for athletes, officials and support staff participating in major international sporting events hosted by the United States. Such tournaments often require extensive coordination between sporting organisations and government authorities to ensure participants can enter the country in time for competition. The World Cup is expected to bring together teams, officials and supporters from countries all over the world, making travel and visa procedures a key part of tournament preparations.
