Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House’s Task Force for the 2026 World Cup, has made fresh claims about Omar Artan after the Somalian referee was denied entry to the United States earlier this week.

Artan, 34, was named Africa’s best referee last year and was on FIFA’s final list for this summer’s tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada.

However, the FIFA-listed ref was barred from entering the United States after being interviewed for 11 hours by a border official, who reportedly pressed him on questions around Somali politics and militant groups.

Despite presenting his FIFA documentation and single-entry visa, Artan was placed on a plane to Istanbul, Turkey, before returning to a hero’s welcome back in his home country.

A US official informed ESPN that the Somali match official was denied entry due to “association with suspected members of terror organisations.”

Amid the backlash over the decision, Canadian politicians sent World Cup invitations to Artan. However, the 34-year-old would be unable to only take charge of World Cup fixtures based in Canada and Mexico due to referees’ chief Pierluigi Collina requesting the presence of all match officials at a training hub in Miami, Florida.

Days after being barred from the World Cup, UEFA announced Artan had been appointed the referee for the 2026 UEFA Super Cup between Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and Europa League winners Aston Villa on August 12.

“Omar Artan is an excellent young but already experienced referee, who has proven himself at the highest competition level of the Confederation of African Football,” UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said.

“Football is made to connect people, and UEFA wants to show its respect to Omar and his outstanding officiating skills, which had earned him such a prestigious nomination.”

White House Chief Makes Fresh Claim Over Artan

Brian Snyder via Reuters

However, White House chief Andrew Giuliani has now described Artan as a “bad actor”, insisting it was “absolutely” the right call for the USA to send him home.

“There are some things that we can’t talk about,” Giuliani said in an exclusive interview with talkSPORT. “What I can tell you, from looking at it, is that he’s the only referee, he’s the only non-Irani official, that has been banned from coming into the country for this tournament.

Giuliani continued: “I’ll leave it at that. I know CBP (U.S Customs and Border Protection) has made a statement on it.

“What I can tell you from my standpoint, and having seen the information on what he was doing, was that I stand by CBP’s decision. It was the right decision.

“What President Trump has been clear on, is he wants to welcome the world that wants to enjoy the World Cup, that wants to participate and be a part of this World Cup here to the United States of America during this incredible tournament.

“But he’s not going to let the guise of a soccer tournament come in and give bad actors a potential opportunity to take action in the United States.”

Pressed on whether he believes Artan has possible links to terrorism, despite the valid US visa claim, Giuliani added: “Again, I go back to what CBP has said about this. What I’ll say is, from my seat, it was absolutely the right decision and I stand by it.”

West Brom have now won the race to sign a Liverpool defender ahead of Premier League clubs.

It could be a busy summer transfer window for West Brom as they aim to improve on a disappointing 2025/26 season.

The Baggies managed to avoid being relegated to League One, but they certainly flirted with relegation for large parts of the campaign.

The appointment of James Morrison helped them turn things around after he helped secure Championship survival with a 10-game unbeaten streak.

West Brom confirmed that Morrison had signed a two-year deal as head coach, and that the summer is now an opportunity for the club to back him.

West Brom Win Liverpool Race

According to journalist Pete O’Rourke, Liverpool defender Carter Pinnington is set to join West Brom in a permanent deal.

The Baggies have reportedly beaten Premier League and other Championship clubs in the race to secure his signature.

Pinnington has been involved in Liverpool’s first-team sessions at times, including during the 2025/2026 campaign.

The now 19-year-old signed his first professional contract with Liverpool back in 2024, but he is now set to be heading through the exit door.

The towering centre-back has played at youth level for England at under 15s, under 16s, and under 18s, while he is also eligible to represent South Africa.

West Brom Also Eyeing Chelsea Star

West Brom are clearly planning a summer raid on the Premier League, with reports suggesting they are also in advanced talks to sign Chelsea forward Jimmy-Jay Morgan.

The Baggies are set to secure Morgan’s signature on a permanent deal, with the Midlands club looking to bring in young talent from around England.

West Brom supporters will also be hoping that they can bring in some ready-made experienced players rather than just signings for the future.

Either way, it needs to be a busy summer transfer window for West Brom as they aim to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle again.

Canada hosted its first 2026 World Cup fixture on Friday – and photos showing the eye-opening prices for food and drink inside the Toronto Stadium have gone viral on social media.

Canada are one of the three hosts of this summer’s showpiece international tournament, alongside the United States and Mexico.

Mexico kick-started the 2026 World Cup on Thursday, securing a 2-0 win over South Africa in a repeat of the 2010 World Cup opener. South Korea then beat Czechia 2-1 in Zapopan.

Canada, hosting a men’s World Cup match for the first time, went 1-0 down against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday but sealed a deserved point thanks to Cyle Larin’s 78th-minute equaliser.

Food and Drink Prices at Toronto Stadium

Kevin Sousa via Reuters

Over 43,000 fans were in attendance to witness Group B’s opening match, but those supporters had to pay some hefty prices to stay fed and hydrated.

Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun shared photos of the signs inside the stadium displaying all prices for available food and drink.

The top ‘offer’ – if you can call it that – was the ‘Visa Cardholder Combo’ comprised of two foot-long hot dogs and two sparkling soft drinks. Total cost? CA$57.50 (Canadian dollars), which is around £30.65.

Alternatively, fans could purchase some chicken tenders and fries for CA$25.25 (£13.46), or a cheeseburger with chips for the same price.

A foot-long hot dog on its own costs CA$14.75 (just under £8), with popcorn coming in at CA$11.75 (£6.26).

Fans wanting water can pay CA$7 (£3.73) for a 591m bottle – pretty steep but still a little cheaper than the £4.50 being charged at the Seattle Stadium.

However, beer is still extremely expensive at 2026 World Cup stadiums. A ‘Domestic Beer’ (one pint) costs CA$16.75 (£8.93), while a ‘Premium Beer’ costs CA$18.25 (£9.73).

There’s also a 740ml ‘Premium Beer’ option which costs CA$24.25 (£12.93), while ‘Canned Cocktails & Seltzers’ are also priced at CA$18.25 (£9.73).

Fans have had plenty to say about the prices at the Toronto Stadium on X (Twitter). Let’s check out some of the responses:

One fan commented: “At that price, I hope the chicken tenders come with a FIFA Peace Prize,” while another said:

A third supporter wrote: “A cheeseburger for $25.25 is insanity. It is 3 pm. Nobody needs to eat at that hour so there is absolutely no reason to pay these extortionist prices and reward whoever is charging them. If you buy anything at these prices your stupidity will come shining through.”

A fourth added: “If you spend 19 dollars on a beer you should fall through a trap door directly into jail,” while another said: “Almost 60 dollars for two hot dogs & two sodas. Whoever set these prices should be tried at The Hague.”

A fifth fan wrote: “This is so ridiculous. $10 for some damn French fries,” while a sixth said: “We wonder why fans are choosing to watch games on TV versus going to the stadiums.”