Gianni Infantino in 2017, talking about the bidding process for 2026 with particular reference to the travel bans the US had in place then:
“Teams who qualify for a World Cup need to have access to the country, otherwise there is no World Cup. That is obvious.
“We are now in the process of defining the bid requirements. In the world there are many countries who have bans, travel bans, visa requirements and so on and so forth. It’s obvious when it comes to FIFA competitions, any team, including the supporters and officials of that team, who qualify for a World Cup need to have access to the country, otherwise there is no World Cup.
“The requirements will be clear. And then each country can make up their decision, whether they want to bid or not based on the requirements.”
Omar, you're still young and have a bright future ahead. Keep your head up your best days as a referee are yet to come. It's disappointing that visa issues kept you from the @FIFAWorldCup@FIFAcom should have done more to support one of its officials. Many fans are disappointed
Statement from top Somali referee Omar Artan denied entry to US for WC over vetting concerns: “I want to thank the football family for their messages and wish my colleagues all the best success during the World Cup & I look forward to joining them again in future competitions”
@RobHarris Omar, your journey is far from over. You are still young, talented, and have many great opportunities ahead of you. Your professionalism and dedication to refereeing continue to inspire football fans around the world. It's unfortunate that you missed this WC ,Keep your head high
@FlFAPresident, 2025: "It's important to clarify this. There is a lot of misconception out there. Everyone will be welcome in Canada, Mexico and the United States for the FIFA World Cup next year."
FIFA today: 👎👇 🇺🇸
FIFA confirms Somali ref Omar Artan "will be unable to train and officiate at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States" and says it "has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan’s status will not be changed at present."
https://t.co/GZguo4HVvH
This statement raises more questions than it answers. If Omar Artan was selected by @FIFAcom and cleared professionally, then being Somali cannot be treated as the problem. If the only issue is where he is from, that is not security. That is discrimination dressed up as process.
"FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan’s status will not be changed at present. 2/3
@talkSPORT This statement raises more questions than it answers. If Omar Abdulkadir was selected by FIFA and cleared professionally, then being Somali cannot be treated as the problem. If the only issue is where he is from, that is not security. That is discrimination dressed up as process.
‼️Africa’s best referee denied entry into the US with only 3 days to the start of the FIFA World Cup‼️
Selected by FIFA to officiate, Omar Artan was set to make history as the first Somalian referee to officiate at a FIFA World Cup 💔
"This is shameful. It's disgusting. It's purely racist and only a weak country would behave like this." -@hasanthehun on the racist travel bans on athletes participating in FIFA. America is showing their ass again. Disgusting as fuck.
"This is shameful. It's disgusting. It's purely racist and only a weak country would behave like this." -@hasanthehun on the racist travel bans on athletes participating in FIFA. America is showing their ass again. Disgusting as fuck.
@AndrewHGiuliani@FIFAWorldCup the denial of the entry of the best referee in africa @Ref_Artan is unacceptable i hope you guys fix it Asap this is the world's world cup ever
Mayor Mamdani criticizes Trump admin for handling of the World Cup, travel restrictions & visa denials for teams & others.
“The World Cup is supposed to be a celebration of the world as a whole… this is anathema to what this tournament is supposed to be about.”