President Donald Trump acknowledged Wednesday that visa disputes involving FIFA World Cup attendees are under review, telling reporters in the Oval Office that his administration is focused on ensuring “the right people” gain entry to the United States. The remarks came after a reporter noted growing fears that obtaining visas for the tournament has become increasingly difficult.
“We’re working on it very closely to make sure the right people come into our country,” Trump replied, adding that he plans to attend some matches. The president’s comments follow a high-profile incident in which Somali referee Omar Artan, who had been issued a travel visa last week, was denied entry Monday by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The agency cited “vetting concerns” after inspecting Artan upon arrival.
FIFA distanced itself from the immigration process, stating it was not involved and that Artan’s status would not change. In a statement shared by the organization, Artan struck a defiant tone: “I have a positive mood and I am focused on the next challenges in my refereeing career.” Artan, named Africa’s best male referee in 2025, returned to Mogadishu, Somalia, on Wednesday to a hero’s welcome, promising fans he would attend the next World Cup. “I want the Somali public to take comfort in this and remain confident,” he said from the airport.
The visa denials have created what Iranian national team forward Mehdi Taremi described as “a lot of tension” for athletes. Speaking to ESPN through a translator, Taremi noted that this World Cup lacks the “unique atmosphere of friendliness and global-ness” he experienced in three previous tournaments. “I’m not feeling it right now,” he said. “There’s a lot of tension right now in this World Cup. You feel it in the atmosphere and unfortunately, it’s because of actions like [visa denials].”
Iran’s team arrived at a training camp in Mexico on Sunday after flying from Antalya, Turkey. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said last month her country would host the team amid U.S.-Iran tensions, which have escalated with renewed strikes. The Iranian squad is scheduled to play New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 in Inglewood, California, followed by a match against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
The visa controversy adds to a broader pattern of exclusion that has marked Trump’s second term, with female officials ousted and women journalists targeted in a similar crackdown. Meanwhile, the administration has faced scrutiny over other policies, including new rules for prediction markets and ongoing debates over inflation, which Trump has celebrated amid the Iran conflict. As the World Cup approaches, the question of who gets in and who doesn’t remains a flashpoint in an already polarized political landscape.
