US Border Controls Disrupt 2026 World Cup Participation Amid Visa Controversies
From the Iranian team’s restricted movement to the denial of entry for a Somali referee, immigration policies are creating significant logistical and diplomatic hurdles for participants in the United States.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, has commenced with significant disruptions for participating national teams due to stringent US immigration policies and border controls. The tournament, which expanded to 48 teams, has seen specific incidents involving the Iranian national team facing restrictive entry conditions that forced their training camp to relocate to Tijuana, Mexico. Additionally, Iraqi striker Aymen Hussein was detained at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, while Iraqi photographer Talal Salah and Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan were denied entry despite holding valid documentation. Delegations from Uzbekistan and Senegal also underwent intensive security checks. Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, have criticised FIFA and host nations for failing to protect fundamental freedoms and ensure equal access for all participants.
The Iranian national team faces strict entry conditions, requiring them to enter only on match days and return to Mexico immediately after, forcing a relocation of their training camp to Tijuana. Fifteen federal officials and staff members from the Iranian delegation are reportedly still waiting for visas, with some already denied. This situation stems from months of geopolitical tension between Washington and Tehran, with the Iranian ambassador to Mexico confirming that team members must leave the country immediately after the final whistle. The logistical burden has shifted the team’s base from the originally planned venue in Tucson, Arizona, to the Mexican border city.
Iraqi striker Aymen Hussein was detained and interrogated at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport for approximately seven hours before being allowed entry. During the screening, he was subjected to additional scrutiny before being given the green light to enter the country. The episode has provoked strong reactions in Iraq, with Hussein expressing disappointment regarding the hostile attitude toward foreign nationals. The difficulties for the Iraqi delegation extended to team photographer Talal Salah, who was denied entry after a 10-hour screening process at Chicago airport. US Customs and Border Protection confirmed that Salah was denied admission following additional screening.
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, holding a diplomatic passport and visa, was also denied entry to Miami. Artan, who was chosen as 2025’s best African referee, was stopped by US authorities after landing from Istanbul and ordered to leave. While US Customs and Border Protection cited vetting concerns, Artan stated he had the right papers and showed border officials documents from FIFA. FIFA acknowledged the border control decisions but stated that immigration procedures are the responsibility of the host nations.
Uzbekistan and Senegal delegations underwent intensive security checks upon arrival. Uzbekistan’s delegation underwent individual checks, including metal detectors and luggage inspections, at Icahn Stadium in New York prior to a friendly match against the Netherlands. Senegal’s players were subjected to individual searches and baggage checks, including shoe removal, upon landing in the US. Images of the checks quickly made the rounds on social media, fueling debate about the intensity of the measures taken.
Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, have criticised FIFA and host nations for failing to protect fundamental freedoms and ensuring equal access for all participants. Amnesty International has accused FIFA of failing to take adequate measures to prevent risks related to immigration policies and discrimination in the three organizing countries. The organisation points out that FIFA has a duty under its own commitments to demand binding guarantees from host states for the protection of fundamental rights. Currently, 39 countries face full or partial US travel bans, with four of them—Haiti, Iran, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire—set to play in the World Cup.
