The upcoming World Cup in the United States is facing significant controversy due to strict US immigration policies affecting participating delegations. Somali referee Omar Artan, despite holding a diplomatic passport and a valid multi-entry visa, was denied entry at Miami International Airport, detained for eleven hours, and deported to Istanbul. A US State Department official cited Artan's alleged links to suspected terrorist organizations as the reason. The Senegalese national team and staff underwent extensive security checks on an airport tarmac in North Carolina, sparking public outrage. Iraqi striker Aymen Hussein was detained for seven hours at Chicago airport, and the Iraqi team's official photographer, Talal Salah, was denied entry. Furthermore, Iranian federation president Mehdi Taj and several accompanying staff were refused visas, and the Iranian federation claims its ticket quota was withdrawn. African journalists also face challenges with single-entry visas, complicating multi-city coverage. FIFA stated it does not intervene in host country immigration procedures.