With the 2026 World Cup nearly upon us, perhaps the biggest story so far has been around the treatment of players, staff and fans coming into North America. Mexico, Canada and the United States are co-hosts, but the latter nation has not been particularly welcoming.
A number of stories have broken in the last week, detailing issues for those arriving in the US. Most notably, top African referee Omar Artan was interrogated for 11 hours, held in a cell, and then sent home due to vetting concerns. He will no longer be able to officiate at the tournament.
It seems as though there is no end to these issues, with football legend and Uzbekistan manager Fabio Cannavaro the latest to suffer at the hands of the overzealous US security.
Fabio Cannavaro Questions Treatment of Uzbekistan Stars
Cannavaro won the 2006 World Cup as Italy captain, making him one of the greatest centre-backs of the modern era. He won the Ballon d’Or on the back of that success, becoming just the second defender to win the prize, after German icon Franz Beckenbauer (in 1972 and 1976).
The Italian, now 52, took charge of Uzbekistan in 2025 and will lead the country at their debut World Cup appearance. However, upon arriving in New York for their pre-tournament friendly match against the Netherlands on 8 June, his squad were met with a rather distrustful security team.
Footage quickly went viral as the Uzbekistan stars and their football legend manager were treated like criminals, as they underwent drug-sniffing dog and metal detector checks. Speaking to CGTN Sports Scene, Cannavaro has now called out the incident, noting:
“They said to me it’s the rules, but in the end the check was only for us.”
Senegal Squad Also Treated With Suspicion Ahead of 2026 World Cup
Cannavaro appeared to think that only his team were treated poorly in New York but more footage has since emerged of the Senegal being subjected to a thorough search on airport tarmac upon their arrival in the US.
The African team are based at Rutgers University in New Jersey, and it seems as though security were just as unsure about the Lions of Teranga, with midfielder Pathe Ciss, who plays his club football in Spain with Rayo Vallecano, seen having the soles of his feet scanned by a handheld metal detector.
The wary treatment of these athletes has certainly left a bad taste in the mouth for many football fans, with some questioning the wisdom of handing the United States hosting rights when their president, Donald Trump, seems so unhappy to have the world arrive at his doorstep.
Liverpool have reportedly made an important offer to sign a new forward in the summer transfer window, and he could explode under new manager Andoni Iraola.
It’s going to be an interesting window for the Reds, with their recruitment team having a lot of work to do ahead of the 2026-2027 season.
Liverpool may need to find replacements for Ibrahima Konate, Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson, who have all left the club on free transfers.
It was a disappointing 2025/2026 campaign from Liverpool, resulting in Arne Slot being relieved of his duties.
The Merseyside club did manage to qualify for the Champions League after finishing in fifth place in the Premier League, so they should have minimal issues attracting new players.
Liverpool are now entering a new era after it was confirmed that Iraola has been appointed as their new manager.
Liverpool are closing in on a deal to sign the midfielder at the end of this month
Liverpool Make Important Offer for Forward
According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool have made RB Leipzig forward Yan Diomande their top priority for the summer transfer window.
“He’s wanted by Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain. Both clubs are still in the mix. Liverpool are really pushing, Liverpool are really insisting to make it happen. For Liverpool, he’s a top, top priority. They are offering important money to the player to get it done. On the other side, Paris Saint-Germain are also keen but it depends on what happens with Barcola, with Goncalo Ramos and Kang-in Lee. There are players that have to leave at PSG, while at Liverpool they’ve already made space with Mo Salah leaving and more players.”
Liverpool have already spent significantly in the last year or so, so it’s a big decision they need to make on Diomande.
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Diomande Could Explode Under Iraola
via Reuters
Diomande certainly has a big task on his hands if he does make the move to Liverpool in the summer transfer window.
The Leipzig winger will likely be a direct replacement for Salah on the right-hand side of attack. There will be a lot of pressure to replicate what the Egyptian international has produced.
There is every chance that Diomande could explode under new manager Iraola.
The former Bournemouth boss has a knack for developing young talent, something he did superbly during his time with the Cherries.
Iraola likes his sides to be deadly in transition, situations that Diomande will thrive in.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino has broken his silence on the decision of the United States to deny entry to Somalian referee Omar Artan ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
There was outrage around the world when it emerged that Artan, the leading official from Africa, would not be allowed to enter the USA, despite having already been granted his visa.
Having arrived at Miami International Airport on a flight from Istanbul, he was informed that he would not be allowed to proceed further due to ‘vetting concerns’, essentially ending any chance of him officiating at the tournament. He had been due to become the first Somalian ever to officiate in any capacity at a World Cup.
Why Omar Artan was Denied Entry to the USA
Omar Artan via omar_artan on Instagram
Fifa initially released a brief statement confirming the news, which read:
“Fifa can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the Fifa World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States.” However, Infantino has now expanded on that brief comment.
In the days since he was denied entry, more details have emerged concerning Artan’s case. The decision to ban him from the US was seemingly made based on the fact that he shares the same name as a leader of the Al Shabab military group.
Artan was denied in Miami for 11 hours and interrogated by officials, before he was allowed to return home to Somalia. Speaking on his arrival back home, the referee stated:
“I’m simply a referee trying to live my dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup. I had all my papers in order, yet I was interrogated for hours, thrown into prison, and then expelled. I think they have a problem with my country.”
Benoit Tessier via Reuters
Despite the controversy and anger surrounding the decision, Infantino gave a bizarrely relaxed answer when he was quizzed on the situation on Wednesday as spoke to reporters at a pre-World Cup news conference, even telling them to “chill” and “relax.”
“It is unfortunate what happened to the referee from Somalia. Again, we don’t control everything. We try, we will discuss, we will speak, we will see.
“Sometimes it’s good to chill, relax, we work on everything, we try to solve everything. Sometimes to immediately start screaming and shouting has the opposite effect of finding a solution. Believe me when I tell you, we always try to find solutions.
“But we need to respect we are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces. We are a sports organisation.”
Infantino also refused to make any assurances on any repeat of the Artan debacle in future when being asked if he had “lost control” of the tournament.
“You know in 2035 I think, we hope, the women’s World Cup will be in the UK right – there still needs to be a decision but it looks like it.
Would you find it normal that Fifa would dictate to the British government who to let in the country and who not to let in the country?
I don’t know. Maybe you find it normal. I would like personally, on the other side, the reality of the matter is that in every country, there are governments that try to get into the UK, Germany, Switzerland without a visa, try to get a visa if you’re from certain countries, it’s not easy, that’s what I want to say.”
Olivia Buzaglo and Ben Jacobs are live with a special World Cup preview edition of Market Madness, bringing you the latest transfer news alongside expert insight from across the globe.
South American football expert Tim Vickery joins the show to break down the key storylines ahead of the tournament, including:
– The mood in Brazil as they look to end their World Cup drought
– Neymar’s inclusion and current form at Santos
– Argentina’s chances of defending their crown
– Young South American talents who could earn big moves to Europe
– Potential surprise packages
Ben also delivers the latest breaking transfer news and answers your questions in his weekly mailbag, keeping you up to speed with all the biggest moves as the window heats up before the World Cup.
Plus, we hear from The Athletic’s Tom Bogert, speaking directly from the USA traning camp, with insight into how the co-host nation is shaping up ahead of the tournament.
