This is the largest sporting event on the planet, despite what some Americans may believe, and the decision to prevent Africa's leading referee from participating in the World Cup sends an extraordinarily damaging message about the United States and the direction in which it is heading.
I am genuinely astonished that FIFA has not lodged a formal protest with the United States Government and sought intervention to ensure that this referee, who is held in the highest regard within the international refereeing community, is granted a visa to undertake one of the most important roles in world football. For any referee, appointment to a World Cup is among the greatest honours the sport can bestow.
A person's country of birth should never be the sole reason for preventing them from entering a country to carry out a specific professional duty at a specific international event. Particularly when the President of the United States publicly assured the world that participants would be welcomed.
If nationality alone has been the determining factor, then this is a serious stain upon both the tournament and the host nation. It raises profound questions about fairness, equality of treatment and whether political considerations are now taking precedence over sporting merit.
The World Cup is supposed to bring nations together. Decisions such as this achieve precisely the opposite.
BBC journalist to Infantino: “Are you embarrassed by what’s happening at this World Cup and have you lost control of the tournament?”
#FIFAWorldCup2026#WorldCupwithMicky
The UK is a safer place to live than the US. The UK doesn’t have school shootings. We also live longer and aren’t afraid of being bankrupted through illness.
Some World Cup players and team staff are being questioned or barred from entering the U.S., angering fans and heightening concerns about how immigration enforcement will be carried out during one of the world’s most international sporting events. https://t.co/mdRM2mXIWo
@SpennySnoopDog@DamianLow3 The zero hype helps. The old "Weight of the shirt" issue. Let's hope and dream and, if it does come off, we won't care who presents the trophy.
Why doesn’t Farage sit down with a low paid care worker, look them in the eye and tell them the truth.
He voted against a ban on zero hours contracts.
Against sick pay from Day 1.
Against protections from fire & rehire.
He’s not a friend of workers - he’s a political fraud.
SEN. BLUMENTHAL: Russia is not winning and won't win. Ukraine can prevail if we support it. I am here [in Kyiv] to thank you for helping our military, saving their lives from Iranian drones and missiles. What you're teaching the world is extraordinarily valuable, and we owe you.
@callthesociolog@TheNewWorldmag@campbellclaret I'm in the South West too. Less than two years into a Labour Government, these elections were always going to be tough, sadly, but the SW is always tough for Labour and I completely disagree with what you say about Andy Burnham. He's not the Messiah. Stay the course.