ashuraym

Afc

[Turk Scout @ScouTurk]

🇩🇪🇶🇦 Joshua Kimmich in 2021 on Qatar 🗣️

“I see us as having a responsibility to address things. That’s what we tried.”

🇩🇪🇺🇸 Joshua Kimmich in 2026 on the USA 🗣️

“That we players can solve these problems or change anything about them: that’s the wrong expectation.”

[Dr. Sharyf @drsharyf]

Toni Kroos is a terrible human being

[Joe Pompliano @JoePompliano]

World Cup ticket sales have been a disaster.

FIFA held back tickets to create artificial scarcity, launched its own resale platform with a 15% fee for both buyers and sellers, and now there are still 180,000 tickets available for purchase.

READ: https://t.co/3UKLVaM6IM

[Stunner @invertCucurella]

🚨JUST IN: Rooney says I FIFA withdrawing Iran World Cup ticket allocation for their supporters for all the 3 matches and denying Omar Abdulkadir Artan a chance to ref in the World Cup because of USA have shifted the narrative from football to politics which is unacceptable

> "What frustrates me is that the World Cup is supposed to be about football, but days before kickoff we're talking more about politics than the actual tournament."

> "The story should be about the best players in the world arriving, the biggest nations competing, and fans travelling across the globe to support their countries."

> "Instead, one of the biggest headlines has been the situation involving Omar Abdulkadir Artan. Here's a referee selected by FIFA to officiate at the World Cup, yet he won't be there after being denied entry into the United States."

> "Put yourself in his shoes. You spend years working for that opportunity, you become one of Africa's most respected referees, and then your World Cup dream ends before a ball is kicked."

> "Then you have Iran's federation claiming that its allocation of tickets for supporters across all three group-stage matches has been withdrawn. Whether you're Iranian or not, that's a terrible look for a World Cup."

> "Football supporters save money for years to follow their national teams. Some book flights, hotels and time off work. They deserve clarity and fairness."

> "The problem is that these stories have shifted the entire narrative. People are debating visas, travel restrictions and diplomatic disputes instead of discussing formations, tactics and who might win the trophy."

> "Every host nation has laws and security procedures, I understand that. But when those issues become bigger than the football itself, something has clearly gone wrong."

> "The World Cup has always been special because it brings together countries that don't agree on everything but can still share the same pitch and the same tournament."

> "Right now, FIFA needs the football to take centre stage again. The World Cup should be remembered for great matches and unforgettable moments, not for controversies that made politics the biggest story before the tournament even began."

[ashuraym @AShuraym]

@MiguelDelaney like football belongs to him is embarrassing.
The World Cup should be bigger than politicians and personal friendships.
But under Infantino, FIFA looks less like a football body and more like a VIP networking club.

[Stunner @invertCucurella]

🚨🗣Steven Gerrard: "this fifa world cup in USA is becoming the worst tournament even before it get started! This is not how it is supposed to be, the weather in the US is terrible for players to play in, and we have news of the Somali referee Omar Artan who was appointed by FIFA denied entry, Iran saying FIFA has withdrawn fans World Cup ticket allocation, couple with funny security checks [Kevin Debruyne Belgium and Senegal players]

"I have to say it again this World Cup is starting to look like a mess, and the tournament hasn't even properly begun yet."

"Usually, before a World Cup, we're talking about the favourites, the star players, and the football. Instead, we're talking about travel problems, ticket controversies, and immigration issues."

"The Omar Artan situation is one of the most disappointing stories I've seen. FIFA selected him because they believed he was good enough to officiate at the World Cup, yet he was denied entry into the United States and will miss the tournament."

"Imagine working your whole life to become the first Somali referee at a World Cup and then being prevented from taking part for reasons completely unrelated to football."

"Then you have Iran's federation saying their allocation of World Cup tickets for supporters was withdrawn just days before the competition. Whether you agree with a government or not, supporters should not be the ones paying the price."

"I've also seen players and delegations complaining about the level of security checks and the delays involved. At some point, people stop feeling welcomed and start feeling like they're being treated as suspects."

"The weather is another concern. We're talking about matches being played in extreme summer conditions. The players are expected to perform at the highest level while dealing with heat that can completely change the rhythm of a game."

"A World Cup should be about bringing the world together. Instead, every day seems to bring another story that has nothing to do with football."

"The worrying thing is that these aren't isolated incidents anymore. When ticket disputes, entry restrictions, and organisational concerns keep appearing, people naturally begin questioning the tournament itself."

"I still hope the football saves the competition because the World Cup is bigger than any host nation. But right now, the headlines aren't making FIFA look good, and they certainly aren't making this look like the celebration of football it was supposed to be."

[BBC News (UK) @BBCNews]

Scotland fan has US visa revoked an hour before flying to World Cup https://t.co/j8sydKdMqB

[ashuraym @AShuraym]

@EricNjiiru That’s a dodge.
No one asked FIFA to run border control. They asked why a tournament sold as “global unity” cannot protect a referee FIFA itself selected.
Infantino wants the power of the World Cup, but none of the responsibility.

[ashuraym @AShuraym]

Infantino has taken FIFA from bad to worse.
The World Cup is sold as “unity,” but run like a business auction for the biggest payers. Then when Omar Artan gets blocked, we get “chill and relax.”
Football deserves better than this hypocrisy.

[Eric Njiru ⚽️ @EricNjiiru]

Infantino was asked by a BBC journalist if he's embarrassed by what has come to pass and does he accept he's lost control of his tournament here.

His response: “in 2035, the Women’s World Cup, I think, will be in the UK. Would you find it normal that FIFA will dictate to the British government who to let in the country and who not to let in?”

#FIFAWorldCup

[ashuraym @AShuraym]

@RT_com Infantino has taken FIFA from bad to worse.
The World Cup is sold as “unity,” but run like a business auction for the biggest payers. Then when Omar Artan gets blocked, we get “chill and relax.”
Football deserves better than this hypocrisy.

[ashuraym @AShuraym]

@SABCNews You can’t thank the same administration that blocked Artan, then sell us “unity” and “global football.”
That’s not leadership. That’s PR nonsense.

[ashuraym @AShuraym]

@BBCNews Omar Artan earned his place. FIFA selected him. If the World Cup is truly global, FIFA should fight for its officials — not hide behind weak slogans. ::

[ashuraym @AShuraym]

@AdamCrafton_ qualified referee earned his place and got blocked. FIFA doesn’t need to rule governments — it needs to defend the people it selects.
Unity means action, not slogans. :

[ashuraym @AShuraym]

@MickyJnr__ “Not kings of the world” is a weak excuse.
FIFA chose the host. FIFA selected Omar Artan. FIFA sells this tournament as global unity.
When a qualified referee is blocked, don’t give speeches. Show us the solution.

[ashuraym @AShuraym]

@MickyJnr__ You can’t sell the World Cup as “global” then shrug when a qualified referee is blocked.
That’s not unity. That’s FIFA bullshit.

[African @ali_naka]

“Gianni Infantino has been a disaster for World Football, he must consider Resigning” Roger Milla

[ashuraym @AShuraym]

@jamesbenge A referee selected on merit has lost his World Cup moment because of politics and immigration barriers. FIFA cannot sell the World Cup as global and inclusive, then act powerless when one of its own officials is blocked. Omar Artan deserved better

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Omar Artan, a Somali referee who was due to officiate at the World Cup but has been denied entry to the United States:

“It’s unfortunate what happened to Omar. But again, we don't control everything. We try, we discuss, we see. Maybe it's good to just chill, relax.

“We try to solve everything. Sometimes screaming and shouting has the opposite effect. Don't believe me if you don't want but we always try to find solutions. We are not the kings of the world.”

More from Infantino: https://t.co/q3vx9pMD5u

[African @ali_naka]

“No one is more official than the referee, and if a country refuses to allow a referee in, the World Cup should not be held in such a country.” Joseph Sepp Blatter Former FIFA President

[ashuraym @AShuraym]

@PolymarketFC 🫢A referee selected on merit has lost his World Cup moment because of politics and immigration barriers. FIFA cannot sell the World Cup as global and inclusive, then act powerless when one of its own officials is blocked. Omar Artan deserved better