The 2026 FIFA World Cup has been overshadowed by a growing controversy over visa delays, border interrogations and allegations of discriminatory treatment, with several teams, officials and supporters encountering major obstacles while travelling to the United States.
In one of the latest incidents, Swiss striker Breel Embolo had his visa placed under review, delaying his arrival at the tournament and forcing him to join his national team days later than expected.
Iraq international Aymen Hussein was also caught up in the controversy after being detained for nearly seven hours for questioning upon entering the United States.
The Iranian national team reportedly spent days navigating complex visa procedures at the U.S. Consulate in Türkiye before receiving approval to travel. However, the situation worsened when U.S. authorities restricted the team’s entry to match days only, while 15 members of the Iranian delegation were denied visas altogether.
FIFA’s preparations also suffered a setback after Omar Abdulkadir Artan, Africa’s top-ranked referee in 2025, was denied a visa despite travelling on a diplomatic passport. The Somali official was subsequently turned back, prompting FIFA to confirm that he would no longer officiate at the tournament.
South Africa’s national team was also affected, arriving much later than scheduled after visa issues prevented part of its delegation from travelling with the squad.
The controversy deepened when members of Senegal’s backroom staff were reportedly forced to remove their shoes and subjected to extensive security checks, sparking accusations of racial profiling and discrimination.
Meanwhile, the Uzbekistan national team found itself at the centre of international attention after footage emerged showing players being searched by bomb-sniffing dogs upon arrival in the United States. The video quickly went viral across global media platforms.
Supporters have not been spared from the disruption. Several Scottish fans who qualified for visa-free travel under the ESTA programme reportedly had their travel authorisations revoked just days before departure, throwing long-planned trips into uncertainty.
Many other supporters from various countries have also reported visa rejections despite purchasing match tickets and booking accommodation months in advance, leaving them facing significant financial losses.
The incidents have triggered criticism from football fans and observers worldwide, raising concerns that administrative hurdles and strict border controls are overshadowing the spirit of a tournament designed to unite nations through sport.
With the World Cup now underway, pressure is mounting on organisers and U.S. authorities to address the growing complaints and ensure that players, officials and supporters can participate without unnecessary obstacles.
