FIFA World Cup: Somali Referee Denied Entry to the U.S. Cited for Suspected Terrorism Connections

A 34-year-old referee has been chosen as one of the match officials for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. This selection places him on FIFAs final list for the prestigious tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. As part of his preparation, he was scheduled to join fellow referees at their training base in Miami before the tournament begins.

The 2026 World Cup is notable for being the first to feature an expanded format, increasing the number of participating teams from 32 to 48. This event will also mark the first time the tournament is hosted by three countries simultaneously. The competition is set to take place from June to July 2026, bringing together teams from around the globe to compete at various venues across North America.