Harsh border restrictions » Striker blocked for 7 hours + Top African referee denied entry visa!
Article by Daniel Scorpie – Published on Monday, 08 June 2026, 18:06 / Updated on Monday, 08 June 2026 18:07
Iraqi Aymen Hussein, a striker at Al-Karma, was interrogated at length before being allowed to cross the border. Omar Abdulkadir Artan was not so lucky, with the Somali referee chosen for WC 2026 being turned away on arrival in the US and boarded a flight to Turkey, where he had come from.
The chaos created by the very strict control at the entrance to the United States of America for the participants of the World Cup 2026 continues. It is not just about Iran. Relations between President Donald Trump and states considered “undesirable” make it difficult for fans to enter the country (the number of cancellations is increasing), as well as for players of some national teams.
An attacker and a photographer from Iraq were subjected to additional screening when entering the US. Only the footballer received the visa!
In addition to the case of Iran, whose Federation was informed that it would not receive visas for many members of the delegation, considered too close to the Ayatollahs' regime, yesterday it was the turn of Aymen Hussein, the star of Iraq.
The attacker of Al-Karma, a team from Ramadi in the Anbar region (where Fallujah, the stronghold of the insurgency at the time of the American invasion, is also located), encountered great difficulties at the customs of O'Hare airport in Chicago.
A 93-cap, 34-goal international for the Lions of Mesopotamia, Hussein was questioned for seven hours by immigration officials at the airport after arriving with his Iraq team-mates and members of the Asian staff.
Iraqi Aymen Hussein, attacker at Al-Karma, was interrogated 7 hours before he could enter the US / Photo: Instagram
A spokesperson for US Customs and Border Protection (Border Patrol) told The Athletic: “On June 5, the Iraqi national team arrived at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (no – where they will play their last friendly before the start of the World Cup against Venezuela) from Dubai on Wednesday.
During the screening, two passengers were subjected to additional screening, a routine procedure that involves checking information or determining the admissibility of passengers.
The footballer was admitted to the United States. The second, a photographer, was turned away and refused entry due to problems at check-in.” Hussein's phone was confiscated but later returned to him after a thorough check.
Somali Omar Abdulkadir Artan, the best African referee, could not enter the USA to officiate at WC 2026
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan (34) was turned away at the US entry and boarded a flight to Turkey
Iraq make their WC 2026 debut on June 16 against Norway in Boston. The next two matches are scheduled for June 22 against France in Philadelphia and June 26 against Senegal in Toronto.
Instead, the best African referee, selected by FIFA to officiate at World Cup matches, had a nightmare. “Somali Omar Abdulkadir Artan (34), was turned away on arrival in the US and boarded a flight to Turkey, where he had originally left. Apparently, without an official explanation,” wrote Gazzetta dello Sport.
Artan's delegation to the WC 2026 had become a source of great pride in his country. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud called him “an inspiration to the new generation of Somalis”, praising the “commitment, professionalism and integrity” of a referee who has become a national role model.
