Duniya Journal

by Imtiaz Popat

Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, named Best African Referee of 2025, was denied a visa. Despite travelling to the U.S. with a diplomatic passport, he was refused entry and sent back to Somalia to a hero’s welcome.  

FIFA announced that he will not be able to officiate at the tournament. Canadian politicians invited him to come to Canada to referee, but due to FIFA requirements, he couldn’t accept to offer. Just before arriving in Miami for FIFA, he heard that he has been appointed by the EUFA to referee the Super CUP final between Paris Stain-Germain and Ashton Villa on August 12.

The South African national team arrived in the United States much later than planned because part of the delegation was not granted visas.

 Members of the Senegal national tea’ staff were forced to remove their shoes and subjected to lengthy searches, sparking accusations of racism.

 The Uzbekistan national team was searched with bomb-sniffing dogs and the footage went viral in international media.

 Iraqi national team player Aymen Hussein was held for questioning for nearly 7 hours upon entering the United States.

The Iranian national team spent days dealing with visa procedures at the U.S. Consulate in Türkiye. The U.S. only allowed them entry on match days. Fifteen members of the delegation were denied visas.

Swiss footballer Embolo’s visa was put under review and he was only able to join his team days later.

Some Scottish supporters, despite being eligible to enter the U.S. visa-free under the ESTA programme, had their travel authorisations revoked just days before departure.

Many supporters who had already bought tickets and booked accommodation had their visa applications rejected, resulting in financial losses.