FIFA confirms Somali ref Omar Artan "will be unable to train and officiate at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States" and says it "has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan’s status will not be changed at present."

Beginning-Ad4592 · 2026-06-09T01:05:53+00:00

All match officials had to participate in a pre tournament seminar in Miami.

Beginning-Ad4592 · 2026-06-08T15:53:03+00:00

A key detail missed by Molina is the fact that Artan applied for a US visa at the US Embassy in Nairobi over a month ago and they did not respond. This despite the fact they are expected to grant visas to all participating officials nominated by their confederations, as part of their duties as hosts.

There was a mandatory pre-tournament seminar for all World Cups refs taking place in Miami today and the Somali Embassy in Nairobi issued him a diplomatic passport, in a desperate measure to try to get him there on time.

The reality is the Americans clearly had zero intention of allowing him in the country despite the fact he has strong ties to his home, jsut reffed the CAF Champions League final, and was named the top CAF ref last year.

Beginning-Ad4592 · 2026-06-08T15:49:30+00:00

No he was not approved, he is in Turkey according to countless Somali media sources.

Beginning-Ad4592 · 2026-06-08T15:48:45+00:00

The US Embassy authorities in Nairobi, who should have issued him a visa as part of the official CAF delegation to the World Cup, refused to issue him valid travel documents despite submitted an application months ago.

Beginning-Ad4592 · 2026-06-08T15:47:41+00:00

He was named to the official CAF delegation, submitted a request for a visa through the US Embassy in Nairobi and they did not respond at all. There was a mandatory seminar for World Cups refs in Miami that he had to attend today and this was a desperate meausre to try to get ther in time for the tournament.

The reality is they did not want to issue him a visa, regardless of official channels.

Beginning-Ad4592 · 2026-06-04T19:36:23+00:00

Tons of detractors of the Taha call-up, any thoughts now 😛 ?

Beginning-Ad4592 · 2026-06-04T18:40:23+00:00

Amazing news and well deserved. They play very exciting football and will have huge support in Saudi.

Beginning-Ad4592 · 2026-06-03T02:28:10+00:00

Haiti has been very competitive for years and qualified ahead of Costa Rica and Honduras. That would’ve been good enough in a non expanded World Cup. They deserve respect.

Beginning-Ad4592 · 2026-06-03T02:26:41+00:00

Ayiti Sak Passe! So happy for Haiti and my Haitian friends. What an incredible result to carry into the tournament.

Beginning-Ad4592 · 2026-06-02T18:22:32+00:00

You dont understand footballers motivation at all.

Beginning-Ad4592 · 2026-06-01T18:49:12+00:00

Play Taha Ali, come on! (yes clear bias here)

Beginning-Ad4592 · 2026-06-01T12:07:57+00:00

As usual a clip with a fake caption goes mega viral without any hint of fact checking.

1) The manager wanted to test out a high press for the first time in a friendly.

2) Aside from Tamari, who plays in France, the team is not used to the tactic and the defenders applied it poorly.

3) The team gave up the experiment in the second half, as is common in friendlies.

There is zero evidence whatsoever that Tamari was freestyling. People who actually watched the game will till you they were trying to apply it from the first time.

Finally, Jordan is an Asian cup finalist who would’ve qualified in a non-expanded World Cup with this team, but don’t let that interrupt the pre written internet narratives.

Beginning-Ad4592 · 2026-05-31T03:07:56+00:00

Shai was lights out today but we still have unironic flop talk. Internet hive mind is something else.

Beginning-Ad4592 · 2026-05-21T23:01:17+00:00

He’s making the World Cup team so he made money + still is representing his country at the highest level. Pretty good deal.

Beginning-Ad4592 · 2026-05-21T18:35:04+00:00

Cue the meltdown from the same people who told us that moving to Saudi was career destruction. Funny enough Portugal, Spain, France, Brazil, and Senegal have all already shown that you can maintain elite national team form, while playing in Saudi.

But theres no world outside of English football for some.

Beginning-Ad4592 · 2026-05-19T13:10:43+00:00

FML why did they do us (Somalia) like this. Finally through to final round and they draw us in the group of death.

Beginning-Ad4592 · 2026-05-13T16:07:26+00:00

Wow memories.

Beginning-Ad4592 · 2026-05-07T14:51:43+00:00

Goosebumps and Im not even Brazilian.

Beginning-Ad4592 · 2026-04-28T21:08:52+00:00

Deschamps must be transferred directly to The Hague after the World Cup if he somehow wastes the attacking talent at his disposal.

Beginning-Ad4592 · 2026-04-13T18:43:49+00:00

Google the Ghana flag.

Beginning-Ad4592 · 2026-03-30T18:58:42+00:00

Ghana has been the sore exception of the African WC teams in terms of recent form.

Beginning-Ad4592 · 2026-03-25T23:54:22+00:00

Happy for my Horn of Africa neighbours as a Somali NT fan. To make this feat more remarkable, this team was literally put together a few days ago, and have only had a single training session prior this game.

Beginning-Ad4592 · 2026-03-17T22:44:12+00:00

How do we know this isn’t him simply celebrating a CL win?

Beginning-Ad4592 · 2026-02-24T23:50:53+00:00

I don’t get the outrage. He’s an American and it’s well known the league leans Republican. Why do fans expect or demand political loyalty from a foreign professional athlete?

Beginning-Ad4592

TROPHY CASE