World Cup 2026 visa restrictions have raised fresh concerns before the tournament opens on Thursday, 11 June 2026, when Mexico face South Africa at Mexico City Stadium.

The biggest confirmed case involves Somali referee Omar Artan, who will miss the tournament after United States authorities denied him entry. His case has drawn attention to the role of host-country immigration rules at a global sporting event.

Omar Artan denied entry to the United States

Artan had been selected by FIFA for the 2026 World Cup and was set to become the first Somali referee to officiate at the tournament, according to the Associated Press. AP reported that he was denied entry at Miami International Airport on Saturday, 6 June, despite having been issued a visa.

US Customs and Border Protection said Artan underwent additional inspection and was found inadmissible due to “vetting concerns”, AP reported. FIFA said it was not involved in immigration decisions and confirmed that Artan would not be able to train or officiate at the World Cup.

The decision comes as the United States co-hosts the tournament with Canada and Mexico. FIFA’s official schedule lists 48 teams and 104 matches, making this the largest World Cup yet.

Iran fans face travel and ticket barriers

World Cup 2026 visa restrictions have also affected Iranian supporters and officials. Al Jazeera reported that Iranian fans faced barriers linked to US visa policy, while other reports said Iran-related ticket access was affected by US sanctions and financial restrictions.

The Guardian reported that some Iranian officials and staff had visa problems before the tournament. The Times reported that FIFA revoked Iran’s travelling-fan ticket allocation because sanctions complicated payments linked to the US-based tournament structure.

Iran remain in the tournament, and their matches are scheduled to go ahead. However, the travel issues have increased scrutiny on how FIFA and host governments manage access for players, officials and fans.

FIFA and US authorities respond

FIFA has said host governments decide who receives visas and who may enter their countries, according to AP. The football body said it had been told Artan’s status would not change at present.

CBP said all travellers, including World Cup players, coaches and staff, remain subject to inspection and vetting under US law. Artan, in a FIFA statement quoted by AP, said he remained focused on his refereeing career despite the setback.

For South African fans, the immediate focus now shifts to the opening match. FIFA lists Mexico v South Africa for 11 June 2026 at Mexico City Stadium, bringing Bafana Bafana back into a World Cup opener 16 years after the 2010 tournament began with the same fixture in Johannesburg.