FIFA WORLD CUP

The United States government has defended its decision to deny entry to a Somali referee and several members of Iran’s support staff ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, saying the actions were necessary to safeguard the tournament’s integrity and security. Speaking at an event organised by the Atlantic Council in Washington on Tuesday, Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House Task Force for the World Cup, said visa restrictions had only affected a small number of officials and not players or coaches. According to Giuliani, 35 national teams have already entered the United States, with no player or coach denied a visa. “We’ve had 35 teams that have come into the United States. No players, no coaches have been denied,” he said, adding that some officials were refused entry for what he...

The FIFA World Cup remains the pinnacle of international football, attracting billions of viewers and showcasing the world’s best teams every four years. Yet, despite their huge populations and passionate fan bases, some nations are still waiting to make their debut on football’s biggest stage. From Asia to Africa, several countries with millions of football enthusiasts have struggled to translate their potential into success on the international stage. Factors such as limited investment, inadequate football infrastructure, competition from other sports, and inconsistent development programmes have all contributed to their absence from the World Cup. According to Planet Football on Tuesday, India tops the list of the most populous countries never to qualify for a FIFA World Cup. W...

A Somali referee has been dropped from the World Cup list after being denied entry to the United States and sent on a flight back to Turkey upon arrival at Miami International Airport. Omar Abdulkadir Artan, 34, had his travel facilitated by the Somali Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, which said they had granted him a diplomatic passport to help with visa-related issues. He travelled from Kenya through Turkey to Miami, before being sent back. No reason has been given. FIFA had last week confirmed that Artan's visa situation had been 'fully resolved, and he will now be available to officiate at the FIFA World Cup'. But on Monday night they released a statement, reading: 'FIFA can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the FIFA World ...

Although Nigeria will not be participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the country's influence will still be strongly felt through a number of players of Nigerian descent representing other nations at the tournament. Set to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the competition will feature at least 16 footballers with Nigerian roots playing for nine different countries. England’s contingent includes Bukayo Saka, who is preparing for his second World Cup appearance after emerging as one of the Three Lions’ most important players. The Arsenal star, born to Nigerian parents in London, is expected to play a key role alongside fellow Nigerian-heritage players Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke. Germany will rely on the creativity of Jamal Musiala, who was eligible to repre...

World Cup referee Omar Artan has been denied entry to the United States, just three days before the tournament is set to begin. The Somali official was poised to become the first-ever referee from his country to take charge of a match at a Fifa World Cup. Artan, 34, was named the best African referee for 2025 by the Confederation of African Football and has previously officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations. He reportedly encountered difficulties securing a visa but benefited from support from the Somali embassy in Nairobi, which enabled him to obtain a diplomatic passport. He travelled from Kenya through Turkey to Miami, after FIFA confirmed last week that his visa situation had been "fully resolved" and that he would be available to officiate at the tournament. Denied entry to the ...

The countdown is almost over as the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off tomorrow, June 11, marking the beginning of the biggest tournament in football history. The competition will run until July 19 and will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, making it the first World Cup to be staged across three nations. This year's edition will also be historic as it expands from 32 to 48 participating teams, featuring a record 104 matches across 16 host cities in North America. The opening match will take place in Mexico City, while the final is scheduled for MetLife Stadium in the New York-New Jersey area. Football fans around the world are eagerly awaiting the start of the month-long spectacle, with defending champions Argentina among the favorites alongside traditional power...

Some matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup could be delayed or temporarily stopped because of severe weather, especially thunderstorms. Some matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup could be delayed or temporarily stopped because of severe weather, especially thunderstorms. In the United States, safety rules require matches to stop immediately if lightning is detected within eight miles of a stadium. Players must leave the pitch and go to the dressing rooms, while fans are directed to safe areas inside the stadium. Once lightning is detected, officials start a 30-minute countdown. If no more lightning occurs during that period, the match can continue. However, if another lightning strike is detected, the countdown starts again. This could lead to delays lasting several hours. FIFA d...

Iran’s football squad have been granted visas to play in the World Cup, US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack confirmed in a message on X on Friday.  “Proud of our outstanding team at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara for their work processing visas for Iran’s national football team on their road to the @FIFAWorldCup in the United States,” he said, commenting on a news report that Iran’s World Cup players have been granted the visas to enter the United States.  “Sports transcends borders, and we look forward to welcoming competitors and fans from around the world,” the ambassador said. The Iranian team is due to fly from Turkey to Spain on Saturday before travelling on to their base camp in Mexico, which has issued visas to the squad.  The team will be based in Mexico during the ...

The expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup promises to be one of the most unpredictable tournaments in football history. With 48 teams competing across North America, fans can expect new rivalries, emerging stars, and potential giant-killings throughout the competition. Traditional powerhouses such as Brazil, Argentina, France, England, Germany, and Spain are expected to enter the tournament among the favorites. However, recent international competitions have shown that reputation alone is no guarantee of success on football's biggest stage. Defending champions Argentina will be aiming to make history by retaining their crown, while France's depth of talent continues to make them one of the most feared teams in world football. England, meanwhile, will be hoping to end decades of major tourname...

FIFA has confirmed that fans will be allowed to bring one “soft, plastic” disposable water bottle into World Cup venues. The world football governing body has made the u-turn after its ban on refillable bottles sparked an outcry. “All fans will be permitted to bring in one, soft, plastic 20 ounces (590ml), factory sealed disposable water bottle into any FIFA World Cup 2026 match in the USA and Canada,” World Cup chief operating officer Heimo Schirgi, said in a video posted on FIFA’s X account. The announcement, which FIFA called a “clarification” of its water bottle policy, came two days after FIFA said that refillable water bottles wouldn’t be allowed. That was a change to their official stadium code of conduct that could force thirsty supporters to pay for bottled water. F...