The United Nations human rights chief has called on the United States to reconsider its immigration policies ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following incidents where a prominent referee and team officials were denied entry. Volker Turk expressed concerns that racial profiling and strict enforcement measures could mar the tournament, which is being co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Barred Referee Sparks Concern
Somali referee Omar Artan, one of Africa's leading match officials, was refused entry by US immigration authorities. This incident underscores fears that President Donald Trump's immigration policies may leave deep scars on the event. Turk emphasized the need for a massive rethink of how immigration enforcement impacts human rights and dignity.
Impact on Teams and Fans
The World Cup, featuring a record 48 teams, begins on Thursday at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca with Mexico facing South Africa. The tournament spans nearly six weeks, culminating in the final in New Jersey on July 19. However, the US-Israel conflict with Iran has also cast a shadow. Iran, playing three group games in the US, was forced to move its training base to Mexico. The Iranian football federation reported that its ticket allocation for fans was revoked and some support staff were denied visas, calling the move deliberate and discriminatory.
Turk urged an end to the dehumanization of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, stating that divisive narratives benefit no one.
