FIFA World Cup 2026
Fifa World Cup 2026: How Referee Omar Artan was barred from entering US
Referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will miss the 2026 Fifa World Cup after being barred from entering United States, FIFA has confirmed.
Artan, the 2025 Confederation of African Football (CAF) men’s referee of the year, was barred from entering the country at Miami International Airport and is currently in Turkey.
“Fifa can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the Fifa World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States,” read a statement as published by BBC Sport.
“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.
“In line with previous Fifa events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country.”
Though no reason has been given for his denial, his country, Somalia is one of several countries on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump’s administration and that could probably be the reason.
Last year in August, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said that none will be barred from the World Cup and that this was meant to be an occasion to unite everyone.
“I think 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.
“There is a process to go through to get visas and so on. This process will be smoot. We want to unite the world and we will unite the world next year. The world needs occasions of unity, of bringing teams together, of bringing people together, of bringing fans together… So again, everyone will be welcome, be positive and you will see it will be a great, great celebration.”
Artan was among the 52 referees announced by Fifa to officiate at the World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States, which runs from 11 June to 19 July.
An official in the Somali national football league championships, Artan became a Fifa referee in 2018 and has officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
He handled the second leg of the 2026 CAF Champions League in Morocco which Mamelodi Sundowns edged on aggregate after drawing 1-1 with AS FAR.
Besides denying Artan entry, several other teams have had to go through rigorous checks with the national teams of Uzbekistan, Senegal, Iran and Iraq all ‘humiliated’ while the latter’s team photographer was sent back home.
Switzerland forward Breel Embolo is also facing visa issues and could miss the tournament.
On top of that, several fans across the world especially from Africa are facing rejections as reported by BBC Sport with some giving up on the biggest global soccer showpiece.
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Following conclusion of the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by United States, Canada and Mexico, several records have been set.
The 2026 edition became the first to be co-hosted by three nations and one with the most nations – 48.
France captain Kylian Mbappe set a new goalscoring record in the global showpiece by notching 22 goals over his three world cup appearances after he scored 10 goals as the Les Blues finished 4th.
The previous record stood at 16 goals and was held by Germany forward Miroslav Klose who featured in 24 matches playing at the 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014.
However, Messi had initially broken the Germany’s record when he scored a brace against Austria to take the tally to 18 within the 2026 tournament.
Mbappe has only featured in three world cups and scored the 22 goals from as many matches.
Another new record set belongs to arguably the Greatest Player of All Time, Lionel Messi of Argentina who has made 34 appearances in the world cup finals over six editions since 2006.
Messi’s nemesis Cristiano Ronaldo set a new record as the only player ever to score in six different World Cups when he netted against Uzbekistan in the group stages.
France and Bayern Munich midfield gem Michael Olise also set up a new record for most assists; seven in a single tournament beating legend Pele’s record that has stood since 1970 when he made six assists.
Cape Verde goalkeeper Josimar Dias alias Vozinha became the oldest goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet on his debut when he shutout Spain in a goalless draw at the age 40.
Curacao Dutch coach Dick Advocat also became the oldest coach ever to manage a game at the world cup at the 78 breaking the recent one held by Rehhagel Otto.
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Sunday July 19, 2026
- Miami stadium 12am [EAT]
A game nobody wants to play in but it will happen as France take on England at Miami in the third play off of the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
The French lost to Spain 2-0 in the semi-final while England threw away a goal lead in a painful 2-1 defeat to champions Argentina.
The bronze medal match will see renewal of hostilities between the two nations and it marks the last match for World Cup winning coach and player, Didier Deschamps as France head coach.
Ending an otherwise distinguished France career, Deschamps will at least try to steer Les Bleus to a third World Cup bronze medal from four third-placed playoffs, this being their first since the 1986 edition.
France beat Belgium 4-2 that year to finish on the podium and also trounced West Germany 6-3 in the 1958 third-placed playoff – with Just Fontaine scoring four – but they had to settle for fourth behind Poland in the 1982 edition.
For England, it is an opportunity to earn their second-best finish since winning the trophy in 1966 as the Three Lions’ previous two appearances in the third-placed playoff ended in failure; a 2-0 defeat to Belgium in 2018 and 2-1 loss to Italy at the 1990 edition.
England have won just one of their last nine matches against France, most recently seeing their 2022 World Cup dreams dashed at the hands of Deschamps’s then-holders in the quarter-finals.
Both coaches are expected to ring a few changes to their starting XIs but Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe could feature from the start as they fight for the Adidas Golden boot.
How to watch
All matches will be live on DStv on four dedicated FIFA World Cup Channels in multiple languages. The Channels are FIFA World Cup Central (Channel 222), FIFA World Cup Extra (Channel 223), FIFA World Cup Pass (Channel 225), and FIFA World Cup Swahili (Channel 224).
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2026 FIFA World Cup (Quarter final):
- Spain 2-1 Belgium
- France 2-0 Morocco
Spain will face France in the semi-final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday.
This fixture was confirmed after the second quarter final duel that Spain won 2-1 over Belgium on Friday at Los Angeles stadium, Inglewood.
Fabian Ruiz and Mikel Merino scored in either half for Spain, the winners of the FIFA World Cup in 2010 in South Africa.
Charles De Ketelaere’s earlier equalizer turned into a mere consolation.
Ruiz gave Spain the lead on the half hour mark before Ketelaere’s equalizer 11 minutes later.
Merino was at the right place to pounce home the winner in the 88th minute.
Earlier on Thursday, France became the first country to qualify to the semi-finals with a 2-0 victory over African representatives Morocco at the Boston Stadium.
Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele scored France’s goals.
Other quarter finals:
The quarter final menu continues on Saturday, 11th July 2026 between Norway and England at Miami stadium, Miami Gardens.
The last quarter final will come on Sunday as the reigning champions Argentina face Switzerland at Kansas City stadium, Kansas city.
The winner between Norway and England will clash against Argentina and Switzerland in the epic second semi-final.
The post Spain eliminate Belgium, to face France in semi-final | 2026 FIFA World Cup appeared first on Kawowo Sports.
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