World Cup overshadowed by visa dispute, US officials push back

US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin on Thursday, June 11, defended the Trump administration’s handling of visa and entry decisions as the World Cup kicked off this week, amid scrutiny over several high-profile denials involving officials and fans.

The issue has drawn attention following reports that at least one referee from Somalia and a staff member of the Iraqi national team were denied entry at US airports in recent days. Media coverage has also pointed to cases involving dozens of supporters who were unable to enter the country for the tournament.

Asked whether immigration policies were casting a shadow over the event, Mullin said national security considerations would remain paramount.

"We're not going to allow people who have criminal (records) or maybe are perceived to have criminal ties to come into this country. I don't care what your situation is. I'm not going to get into why we denied this individual, but there's a reason why this person was denied it," Mullin told reporters.

He rejected suggestions that the decisions reflected bias against specific nationalities, including Somali nationals.

"Now, the left media wants to go out there and report and say this guy's a victim because we're anti-Somalia. No, we're not," Mullin said.

The controversy comes despite Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan being selected to officiate next month’s UEFA Super Cup match between Paris St. Germain and Aston Villa, even after being unable to officiate at the World Cup due to his denied entry to the United States.

A proclamation issued by US President Donald Trump on June 4, 2025, restricts the entry of Somali nationals into the country, adding to the broader context surrounding the decisions.

Mullin said US authorities had maintained close coordination with football’s governing body FIFA regarding entry determinations linked to the tournament.

"We work closely with FIFA and the administration on a regular basis. We talked to FIFA and their directors constantly. Anybody that was denied, we made the case for and showed them why they were denied," he added.

The administration’s restrictions have triggered international criticism, with some football fans calling for a boycott of the World Cup in response to the entry policies.

By Tamilla Hasanova