A decision has already been made on whether Somali referee Omar Artan can take charge of 2026 World Cup matches in Canada and Mexico after being barred by the United States.

The 34-year-old was set to become the first ref from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup finals after making FIFA’s final list for the showpiece international tournament.

Named Africa’s best referee, Artan is widely regarded as a hero to people in his home country. He was interviewed for 11 hours by a border official and asked why he had travelled to the United States, while being pressed on questions around Somali politics and militant groups, according to The New York Times, via Sports Illustrated.

Artan is understood to have presented his FIFA documentation and single-entry visa but was placed on a plane to Istanbul, Turkey, before returning to his home country.

A US official told ESPN that Artan was denied entry due to “association with suspected members of terror organisations.”

Canadian Politicians Send World Cup Invitation to Artan

Although Artan has now returned to Somalia, the FIFA-listed referee has been sent a World Cup invitation by Canadian politicians.

British Columbia Premier David Eby, the political leader overseeing the seven World Cup fixtures in Vancouver, has expressed his desire to welcome the barred referee to BC and Canada for the tournament.

“Mr. Artan would be welcomed and celebrated in British Columbia for what he’s overcome and where he is today,” Eby said on social media. “Let’s have him referee in Vancouver.”

Meanwhile, Toronto mayor Olivia Chow, whose city are set to host six World Cup matches, said in a statement: “Denying entry to Omar Artan, who has earned his place on the world stage through hard work and perseverance, is not right. Toronto believes in fairness, inclusion, and giving talent the opportunity to shine.

Decision on Artan Refereeing Games in Canada and Mexico

Sports Illustrated add that Artan “would likely be allowed entry and could officiate in some of the 13 games, split between Vancouver and Toronto”.

However, BBC Sport have explained why this isn’t a possibility after Artan was sent home.

It’s been confirmed that it would not be possible for Artan to stay outside the United States and only referee matches played in Canada or Mexico.

The reason is that referees’ chief Pierluigi Collina has created a training hub for the tournament’s 52 referees and 88 assistant referees in Miami.

All on-pitch officials have been told they must stay at the base in Florida for training, preparation and security.

The fact Artan has been denied entry into the United States means he wouldn’t be able to attend the training hub in Miami, ending any remaining hope of him refereeing at the tournament.

With UFC Freedom 250 just a matter of days away now, heavyweight contender Alex Pereira has seemingly dropped a bombshell by claiming one of the fighters on the card will be FIRED once it’s all done and dusted.

Speaking in the pre-event press conference last night, the Brazilian was discussing one of the fighters on the stacked UFC White House card, and he dropped strong hints that his future may not be with Dana White‘s company, insinuating that his days are numbered.

Pereira, who is making his heavyweight debut this weekend on the South Lawn of the White House, is set to share the Octagon with Frenchman Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title, which would be his third belt in a different weight class following his success at middleweight and light heavyweight.

However, despite the biggest fight of his career upon him, Poatan has still had time to discuss other fighters on the card and their futures with, or in this case away, from the UFC.

What Alex Pereira Said Ahead of UFC Freedom 250

During the press conference for the event, Pereira was asked about a fellow fighter on the card, someone he clearly has no time for, and that’s when he dropped the bombshell that he’s heard some things about his future.

The fighter in question is none other than Josh Hokit, who has quite clearly rubbed the heavyweight up the wrong way with his antics over the past few weeks.

After being asked about Hokit, Pereira said: “Honestly, I didn’t even want to talk about [Hokit], but I’m going to make this very clear here.

Josh Hokit’s Controversial Antics

It would probably come as little surprise to many UFC fans that Josh Hokit’s future with the company is uncertain, especially given the fact that controversy is never too far away from the American.

He has built up a reputation over the last few years of saying what he thinks, especially in post-fight interviews, and those opinions are likely what’s going to get him into trouble down the line.

Following his TKO victory at UFC 324, which was actually the first UFC event to be streamed live on Paramount+, he responded to the idea of “losing in a fist fight” by stating: “N-word, please.”

If that wasn’t risky enough, during the same interview, he called out Waldo Cortes-Acosta, labelling him a “deadbeat father not to one kid, but to nine,” and concluded the very same interview by stating: “And P.S., Brittney Griner is a man.”

In response to said interview, Dana White stated: “I heard about it. I didn’t see it. I don’t love it.”

Hokit has a 9-0 professional MMA record, with a 3-0 record in the UFC, but his days could be numbered, especially if what Alex Pereira has heard is accurate.

One of England’s players proved he must start at the 2026 World Cup after putting in an electric performance against Costa Rica.

The Three Lions played their final match ahead of this summer’s tournament on Wednesday as they took on the CONCACAF outfit at the Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

Thomas Tuchel fielded a very strong XI for the match against Fernando Batista’s side, with the likes of Harry Kane, Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham all starting from the outset.

England were expected to blow their opponents away and that’s exactly what they did as they cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory.

Rice got the Three Lions off to a flyer as he found the net after just nine minutes. Anthony Gordon doubled his side’s lead in the 68th minute as he netted from the penalty spot, before Ollie Watkins scored the game’s final goal with three minutes remaining.

England Star Excels Against Costa Rica

Nathan Ray Seebeck via Reuters

While some players, including Noni Madueke, flattered to deceive in Orlando, others put in impressive displays.

Tuchel has a number of decisions to make for this summer’s tournament, including who should start at left-wing. Marcus Rashford and Gordon have been the two players vying for the spot on the left of England’s three-pronged attack.

While Rashford started in England’s match against New Zealand on June 6, it was Gordon who was given the nod from the outset against Costa Rica.

And the 25-year-old, who completed a £69.3 million move from Newcastle to Barcelona this summer, took his opportunity with both hands.

Gordon put in a terrific display as he terrorised the opposition defence throughout. He set up Rice’s opener with a superb piece of wing-play, getting past his man and then pulling the ball back for the Arsenal midfielder to sweep home.

He impressed again when he thought he had won a penalty for his side, only for VAR to needlessly get involved and overturn the decision.

When England were given a spot-kick, Gordon stepped up and dispatched his effort with aplomb, capping off what was a superb display from the former Newcastle winger.

Gordon was given the Player of the Match award in recognition of his display. SofaScore also gave him a rating of 8.5/10, the highest of any player on the pitch.

Gordon’s performance, as well as Rashford’s struggles against New Zealand and when he came on against Costa Rica, means it must be the former who starts against Croatia on June 17.

The former Newcastle winger is simply in much better form than Rashford. His willingness to run in behind, something that is very much needed with Kane at his best when he drops deep, as well as his energy and ability to get up and down the field, means he would be the much better option to start.

That’s not to say Rashford can’t have an impact off the bench and replace Gordon if he is struggling, though. Rashford may actually be better suited to being a super-sub against tired legs.

Roy Keane: Gordon Will Start Over Rashford

Speaking after England’s victory, Roy Keane thinks it will be Gordon who starts alongside Kane against Croatia on June 17.

He said: “I think Thomas Tuchel will be pleased. There was more intensity tonight in terms of the opposition. A good urgency from England that I enjoyed. You want players to give you a headache.

“A dream scenario for the manager. The players driving each other on.”

England are looking to end their 60-year trophy drought and become world champions for a second time this summer. They are the third favourites to lift the trophy on July 19.