By Mekonen Almaw
The 2026 World Cup, which faces significant threats from naturally occurring extreme heat and seismic (earthquake) events, is also being criticized for the quality and safety issues of its training grounds.
Noteworthy examples include a shooting incident near the England national team's accommodation that resulted in 9 injuries, a snake-infested area near the Netherlands national team's camp, and protests by Mexicans who blocked roads.
Including these natural and man-made events, numerous issues are casting a shadow over the 2026 World Cup.
Another major issue is the American visa crisis. As the saying goes, "adding insult to injury," the United States, led by the Donald Trump administration, has become another hurdle by pulling a "red card" in the form of visa restrictions on a tournament already entangled in many problems.
It is clear that the United States' failure to issue visas to World Cup participants has been the talk of the week.
For instance, the denial of visas to Iranian players and journalists from Africa and Iran is primarily cited. Furthermore, the denial of entry to the Somali referee has become a baffling and widely discussed issue.
Omar, who was selected to referee in the World Cup as the first-ever Somali referee, was denied entry into the United States. Although the Somali referee arrived in the U.S. with valid visa documents, U.S. border and immigration officials, after conducting additional screening, told him "you cannot enter" and forced him to return to where he came from.
The Somali referee, Omar Abdulqadir, who was denied entry and returned, received a very warm and honorable welcome from the public when he arrived at his home country's airport this morning.
Following the ban he faced, the lead referee has been able to garner high support from around the world. In a message posted on his social media page, the referee said, "I am still in good spirits and am focusing on my next journey."
The referee also thanked the sports family for the support and messages of solidarity they provided. This visa issue has greatly frustrated many national delegation teams and shattered their dreams.
Why?
The root of this massive controversy was an issue that was declared to be implemented as soon as President Donald Trump returned to the White House.
During his election campaign, the President promised the American people that he would protect them from immigrants, and various decisions were made as soon as he took power.
In particular, numerous restrictions were imposed, including travel bans on several African and Middle Eastern countries. It is believed that these bans could be the cause of the major controversy occurring now.
Specifically, it is clear that the previous comments made by President Trump may be the main reason for the current barring of the Somali referee from entering the U.S. The President once said, "Somalis kill each other! Their country is worthless, they are drowned in corruption! We don't want them here."
However, when asked over the years if this might happen, FIFA President Gianni Infantino gave assurances saying, "Don't worry."
When questioned by journalists about this on various platforms, Gianni Infantino was repeatedly heard saying, "The U.S. will accept everyone, don't worry."
But now, although the visa problem is a matter for the U.S. government, Gianni Infantino himself is facing heavy criticism for failing to keep his promise.
So, will the United States—which has become an additional burden to the World Cup—and FIFA, which failed to keep its word, resolve the problems, or will it be recorded as the ugliest World Cup in history? We will see in the process.
