Visa complications have emerged as one of the defining off-field controversies of FIFA World Cup 2026, with two high-profile cases already drawing widespread concern before the tournament has fully hit its stride.

Somalian referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the United States, preventing him from taking part in the competition he had been selected to officiate. His exclusion raised immediate questions about the logistical and political barriers facing match officials from certain nations.

Iran, meanwhile, face their own set of difficulties in securing travel clearance for their delegation ahead of their fixtures in the tournament. The situation threatens to overshadow the footballing action for the Iranian squad and their supporters.

The twin cases have prompted a broader conversation about whether visa restrictions could continue to disrupt FIFA World Cup 2026 as the competition progresses — and what responsibility the host nation and football's global governing body bear in ensuring all participants can attend without obstruction.