Are World Cup host nations' entry rules stricter than before? | OneFootball

Entry to the United States, Mexico and Canada has become a central storyline at this World Cup, amid refusals and disrupted plans.

According to L'Équipe, a hardening of United States border policy since Donald Trump returned to the White House sparked one of the tournament's first rows.

Before kick-off, Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was refused entry to the United States despite being scheduled to officiate at the tournament.

FIFA then faced further headaches. Iran's national team, initially set to base in Tucson, Arizona, changed plans and relocated to Tijuana in Mexico.

Many supporters also saw their hopes dashed, with entry refusals blamed on an increasingly strict United States migration policy.

Whether hosts' entry rules are truly tougher than in previous editions remains an open question. A video explainer sets out the context and comparisons.

Source: L'Équipe