World Cup Attendees Face U.S. Immigration Hurdles

WHO:

NPR - Jules Boykoff, a professor and author, expressed concerns about the World Cup.

NPR - Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House Task Force for the World Cup, commented on the entry denial.

NPR - David Niven, a University of Cincinnati professor, discussed the impact of immigration issues on the tournament.

NPR - Omar Abdulkadir Artan, a FIFA World Cup referee from Somalia, was denied entry.

NPR - A player from Team Iraq was questioned at Chicago O'Hare International Airport.

NPR - Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian football federation, was among those whose visa was not approved.

WHAT:

The Washington Post - Some World Cup players and team staff are being questioned or barred from entering the U.S.

NPR - At least one referee from Somalia and one Iraqi team staff member were denied entry into the U.S.

NPR - Dozens of fans from countries such as Morocco have been denied travel visas despite holding tickets.

NPR - More than 40 members of Moroccan football team supporter associations were denied visas.

NPR - The Iranian team was forced to relocate its lodging to Mexico due to U.S. government restrictions.

WHERE:

NPR - Miami International Airport, where Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry.

NPR - Chicago O'Hare International Airport, where a player from Team Iraq was questioned.

NPR - The U.S. government imposed restrictions affecting the Iranian team's lodging.

WHEN:

NPR - The Iranian team’s visas were approved last week, but more than a dozen support staff did not receive approval.

WHY:

NPR - President Trump's restrictive immigration policies are impacting the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

NPR - The Trump administration stated that the travel ban is to "ensure that individuals approved for a visa do not endanger national security or public safety."

NPR - The U.S. government’s actions are seen as politically biased interference in sport by the Iranian Embassy.

HOW:

NPR - Customs and Border Protection stated that all travelers seeking entry into the U.S. are subject to inspection and vetting on a case-by-case basis.

(UPDATED June 10, 2026 04:22 UTC)

Concerns are rising over the 2026 FIFA World Cup as several players and team staff are being questioned or denied entry into the U.S., including a Somali referee and a member of Team Iraq who was questioned at Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The Iranian football federation's president, Mehdi Taj, is among those affected, as the team had to relocate its lodging to Mexico due to U.S. government restrictions linked to President Trump's immigration policies. Customs and Border Protection has stated that all travelers seeking entry into the U.S. are subject to inspection and vetting on a case-by-case basis, a process that has left many fans, including over 40 members of Moroccan supporter associations, without travel visas despite holding tickets.