FIFA has expressed disappointment over the inability of Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan to participate in the FIFA World Cup after United States immigration authorities denied him entry into the country.

The world football governing body confirmed on Monday that Artan, who had been selected among the match officials for the tournament, would be unable to join the World Cup refereeing team after efforts to resolve his immigration status proved unsuccessful.

“FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan’s status will not be changed at present,” a FIFA spokesperson said.

The decision means Artan, who was poised to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a World Cup match, will miss the competition that kicks off on Thursday in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Sources familiar with the situation said FIFA had been in contact with relevant authorities after learning of the referee’s predicament but was ultimately informed that the decision would stand.

Artan arrived at Miami International Airport from Istanbul on Saturday and was denied entry after undergoing additional inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

In a statement, CBP said a Somali national was deemed inadmissible because of vetting concerns, though it did not disclose specific details.

The incident has left FIFA without one of Africa’s most respected referees. Artan’s stock has risen significantly in recent years, culminating in his recognition as the Confederation of African Football’s Best Male Referee for 2025.

Last month, he took charge of the second leg of the CAF Champions League final in Morocco, one of the continent’s most prestigious club fixtures.

Despite the setback, Artan struck a positive note in a statement released after the decision.

“I would like to thank FIFA and CAF for all their support, and I promise to keep my refereeing levels up as I concentrate on the future,” he said.

“I want to thank the football family for their messages and wish my colleagues all the best of luck during the World Cup, and I look forward to joining them again in future competitions.”

The episode has drawn attention to immigration issues surrounding major international sporting events hosted by the United States. The Trump administration’s travel restrictions on citizens from several countries, including Somalia, had already prompted concerns among some stakeholders ahead of the tournament.

FIFA, however, reiterated that immigration matters remain the responsibility of national authorities and emphasized that it has no role in determining the admissibility of individuals entering host countries.

With the tournament set to begin this week, FIFA is expected to proceed with its officiating roster without Artan, while the Somali official turns his attention to future international assignments.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

England defender Djed Spence is set to take a page from Victor Osimhen’s playbook at the FIFA World Cup, revealing that he will wear a protective face mask throughout the tournament after suffering a broken jaw in the closing weeks of the Premier League season.

The Tottenham Hotspur defender joins a growing list of players who have continued competing while masked, most notably Nigeria’s star striker Victor Osimhen, whose black protective mask has become one of football’s most recognisable accessories since a serious facial injury suffered during his time at Napoli.

Spence sustained the injury in a collision with Chelsea forward Liam Delap last month but remains determined to play a full part in England’s World Cup campaign.

“It’s a little bit uncomfortable, but it is what it is,” Spence told reporters on Monday.

“I’ve got a broken jaw, so I have to wear it throughout the tournament. It’s something I will have to get used to. It’ll be three months until it’s fully healed, so it’s a long time.”

Like Osimhen, who returned to action wearing a mask after undergoing surgery for multiple facial fractures in 2021, Spence has shown little inclination to let the injury interrupt his football.

The defender even completed the match in which the injury occurred and later featured in Tottenham’s final league game against Everton while wearing the protective gear.

“It was painful, but luckily I play football with my feet and not my jaw. So I was all good,” Spence added.

Osimhen’s mask has become synonymous with resilience and determination. Since adopting it, the Nigerian international has gone on to establish himself among Europe’s most feared strikers, helping Napoli win the Serie A title and becoming a symbol of perseverance in the face of adversity.

Spence now hopes the mask will similarly prove no obstacle as England pursue World Cup glory in North America.

England begin their campaign against Croatia in Dallas on June 17 before facing Ghana and Panama in the remaining Group D fixtures.

While Spence’s protective gear may not yet be as iconic as Osimhen’s, the England defender will be hoping it brings the same good fortune that has accompanied the Nigerian striker’s remarkable rise over the past few years.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Michael Olise once again demonstrated why he is regarded as one of France’s most indispensable attacking players, scoring a hat-trick in a 3-1 victory over Northern Ireland in Lille as Les Bleus fine-tuned preparations for the FIFA World Cup.

The 24-year-old playmaker, who was eligible to represent Nigeria through his father before committing his international future to France, was the driving force behind virtually every dangerous French attack, underlining the magnitude of the talent the Super Eagles failed to secure.

With eight days remaining before France begin their World Cup campaign in the United States, Olise’s dazzling performance reinforced his growing status as the creative heartbeat of Didier Deschamps’ side.

France may boast world-class stars such as Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue, but it was Olise who provided the cutting edge, vision and finishing touch that ultimately separated the teams.

Deschamps fielded what is expected to be his strongest starting lineup ahead of the Group I opener against Senegal on June 16, with Olise operating just behind the attacking trio of Mbappe, Dembele and Doue. The Bayern Munich midfielder repaid that faith with a match-winning display.

France initially struggled to penetrate Northern Ireland’s disciplined defensive block and created few clear opportunities in a frustrating first half. However, Olise’s influence steadily grew as he began dictating the tempo and linking effectively with France’s array of attacking talent.

The breakthrough came two minutes before halftime when Doue surged down the left flank and found Dembele inside the penalty area. The Paris Saint-Germain forward’s effort was deflected into Olise’s path, allowing him to calmly tap home from close range.

The French attack immediately sprang to life after the interval, with Olise once again at the centre of events. Four minutes into the second half, he reacted quickest to a poor clearance and unleashed a powerful half-volley into the net to double France’s advantage.

While France’s attack looked increasingly fluid, defensive vulnerabilities remained evident. Just as they had during the recent defeat to Côte d’Ivoire, Les Bleus were exposed on the counterattack, allowing Patrick Kelly to reduce the deficit after meeting Shea Charles’s cross with a clinical finish.

Yet any hopes of a Northern Ireland comeback were extinguished by Olise.

The former Crystal Palace star completed his hat-trick in the 75th minute with a superb curling effort into the far corner, capping a performance that highlighted both his creativity and finishing ability.

As France turn their attention to World Cup clashes against Senegal, Iraq and Norway, Olise’s emergence as the team’s chief playmaker offers encouragement for Deschamps. For Nigeria, however, each outstanding display serves as a reminder of a gifted player who could have been orchestrating attacks for the Super Eagles on football’s biggest stage.

On current form, Olise is not merely a supporting act in France’s star-studded attack—he is rapidly becoming the backbone of it.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H