Somali referee denied US entry as World Cup fans face visa chaos and sky-high ticket prices

Economy footballTop NewsUnited Statesusworld cup Somali referee denied US entry as World Cup fans face visa chaos and sky-high ticket prices Somali Referee Denied Us Entry As World Cup Fans Face Visa Chaos And Sky High Ticket Prices Relevant News Somali referee denied US entry as World Cup fans face visa chaos and sky-high ticket prices 10 June 2026 Gunmen kill 12 in attack on Johannesburg settlement, police launch manhunt 10 June 2026 Iran strikes US bases in Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain in biggest exchange since April ceasefire 10 June 2026 Charalambos Zakos 10 June 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber A Somali referee holding a valid visa was denied entry to the United States ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in what has become the starkest illustration of the logistical problems threatening to overshadow the tournament before it begins. Omar Abdulkadir Artan would have been the first Somali to referee a World Cup match. According to Reuters, he held a valid visa but was still turned away at the US border. FIFA said it plays no role in and cannot intervene in the immigration processes of the host countries. The referee’s case is one of several problems that have drawn widespread coverage in the international press ahead of the tournament, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States. Visa delays, strict US border controls, ticket prices and accommodation costs have all prompted strong reactions from fans and journalists alike, with concerns that millions of visitors will face a difficult experience. Foreign media have reported significant delays in the issuance of US tourist visas, alongside strict border checks that risk discouraging fans from travelling. Several people who had received visa approval were ultimately denied entry, according to reports. Tickets out of reach FIFA has confirmed that its pricing model is dynamic — meaning prices fluctuate, and in practice rise, based on demand. According to international media, six million tickets are available across the tournament’s 104 matches, but they are described as scarce or unaffordable for low and middle-income buyers. Prices for group-stage matches start at $60 and reach $2,735 in certain cases. The round of 32 carries prices of up to $750, while the round of 16 reaches up to $980. Quarter-final tickets go up to $1,775, semi-final tickets reach $3,295, and tickets for the final range from $2,030 to $7,875. FIFA has indicated these figures are indicative and that prices are likely to continue rising closer to each match. Accommodation is a further strain on budgets, with hotels in host cities looking to capitalise on the surge in demand the tournament is expected to bring. Read more: FIFA World Cup 2026: A guide for those watching from Cyprus Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Gunmen kill 12 in attack on Johannesburg settlement, police launch manhunt Iran strikes US bases in Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain in biggest exchange since April ceasefire Belfast erupts in anti-immigrant violence as rioters torch homes after knife attack Police issue arrest warrant after Limassol stabbing Hamas suspect arrested in Cyprus has three more children in National Guard ‘It will be a great environmental disaster’: Mazotos residents fight to save coastline as desalination plant gets green light GHS patients paying €20-plus drug co-payments for fifth month with no quick fix in sight Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.