A FIFA World Cup host country must guarantee two fundamental principles: the safety of the country — and the unrestricted entry of all qualified teams, officials and referees. The case of referee Omar Artan from Somalia is against one of these obligations. FIFA must never compromise the universality of football. #Fifa #Somalia #GianniInfantino #CAF #OmarAtan #DonaldTrump
BREAKING: 🇺🇸🇵🇭 Protesters breached police barricades in Manila, advancing toward the US Embassy.
The demonstrators are demanding the US troops to be kicked out and opposing the expansion of US military bases in the country.
Dear FIFA,
You gave the World Cup to a country that bombs stadiums, deports referees, detains players, bans fans, and searches athletes with dogs on the tarmac.
You've been very quiet.
We're concerned. Are you okay? Blink twice if you can hear us.
🚨 BREAKING: Top journalist Miguel Delaney drops a massive bombshell on LBC.
He confirms the Trump administration is actively violating international World Cup contracts by completely refusing to guarantee basic freedom of movement for participating nations.
1. No. of Kenyans killed in Nanyuki Ebola protests: 3
2. No. of Kenyans killed by Ebola: 0
3. No. of Americans killed by Ebola: 0
Ruto has now killed more Kenyans on Kenyan soil than Ebola has
Dear @USEmbassyKenya, are you happy that your Ebola facility is costing Kenyan lives?
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.
Omar Artan didn’t just make the #FIFAWorldCup, he made history as the first Somali referee to get there, and as #Africa’s best. That milestone stands no matter what. So sorry to see this, Omar. You reached the summit of your profession and inspired a generation back home just by getting there, and being kept off the pitch you earned doesn’t change that. This won’t be the end of your story on the world stage. The world stands with you as one family, wishing you resilience now and many more major finals to come. Solidarity. #Somalia
TalkSPORT deleted this tweet after they got heavily criticised.
What the US is doing is pure racism. Omar Artan was even issued a diplomatic visa because there were concerns about entry restrictions into the facist country.
There has always been freedom of movement for fans and officials at the World Cup. If a host country can not guarantee that, it should not be allowed to host the tournament.
‘William Ruto, you have turned our country into dumpsite!’ - Protesters tear-gassed as clashes intensify over US Ebola quarantine facility in Nanyuki
“We are saying no to quarantine, no to Ebola. We won't accept Ebola in our place,” protester added.
The facility is aimed at isolating American personnel exposed to Ebola during outbreaks in Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, with 50-bed quarantine unit in Kenya.
🗣️ Roy Keane:
“Look at how many Arsenal players have were selected for the World Cup. That tells you everything about the quality of this squad.
When nearly half your team is representing their countries on the biggest stage, you’re doing something right. Arsenal are not a team you can underestimate anymore.
They’ve won the Premier League, reached a Champions League final, and built a squad full of top international players.
If Arsenal recruit seriously this summer, the rest of the football world might not like what comes next season.
People spend a lot of time hate-watching Arsenal. If this team keeps improving, that might become a waste of time.” 😳🔴⚪️
African leaders are scared to speak truth to power.
I am not.
All African teams, players, and officials must WITHDRAW from the 2026 World Cup unless FIFA and the United States immediately apologize to our brother and referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan — denied entry despite valid visa and diplomatic passport.
1966 African boycott reminder — Africa has withdrawn before for dignity. Time to do it again?
FIFA turned this into their own show of shame: Infantino’s empty “everyone is welcome” promises in Nairobi while they play politics, shrug their shoulders, and abandon African talent at the border. Selective rules. Hypocrisy on full display. Rigged games for the Global South.
This humiliation of African excellence cannot stand. No respect for our people? No participation.
Enough of the double standards and fake inclusion.
RT if you stand with Artan and African dignity. Comment your support below. Follow for unfiltered resistance. Turn on notifications 🔔