FIFA president Gianni Infantino called the case of Somali World Cup referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was denied entry to the United States, "unfortunate."

• Omar Abdulkadir Artan, voted Africa's top men's referee, was refused entry to the United States despite reportedly having a valid visa.
• A US State Department official stated Artan was "associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations," making him ineligible for admission.
• Artan would have been the first match official from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup finals.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is set to address the media on the eve of the 2026 Men's World Cup, amidst off-field controversies including ticket prices and the barring of officials from the United States.

• FIFA President Gianni Infantino will hold a press conference in Mexico City.
• A top Somali referee, Omar Artan, was denied entry to the US due to alleged ties to terrorist organizations.
• Social unrest protests in Mexico City have raised concerns for the opening match at the Estadio Azteca.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be the largest sporting event in history, will heavily integrate artificial intelligence (AI) across various facets of the tournament.

• The expansion includes 48 teams and 104 games hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
• AI will be used to optimize athlete performance, aid officiating (including enhanced semi-automated offside technology with 3D avatars), and improve fan experience.
• Fifa has introduced Football AI Pro, a specific AI tool available to all participating teams to help level the playing field, though potential risks like data privacy and tactical homogenization are present.