Concerns raised over 2026 World Cup expansion and referee's US entry denial
The 2026 FIFA World Cup faces criticism over its expanded format, while a Somali referee was denied US entry, sparking concerns about a "dangerous precedent" ahead of the Los Angeles Olympics.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is set to feature an expanded format with 48 teams and 104 matches. Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter has expressed strong disapproval of this expansion, calling it an "heresy" that "pushes all limits."
Separately, Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry into the United States for the tournament despite possessing a valid visa. US border authorities stated he was "deemed inadmissible due to background check issues" without further elaboration. This incident has been described as creating "a dangerous precedent" ahead of the Los Angeles Olympics.
Sources: Le Monde — International