World Cup 2026 LIVE: Latest news and updates as referee Omar Artan denied entry to United States

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Evening Standard

·9 June 2026

World Cup 2026 LIVE: Latest news and updates as referee Omar Artan denied entry to United States

World Cup fever is building with tournament’s opening game just days away

The biggest sporting competition the world has ever seen begins this week as United States, Mexico and Canada welcome 45 other nations to their shores for the 2026 World Cup. A record-breaking tournament will see the most matches ever - 104 games across 16 host cities - and, organisers’ claim, the biggest attendances.

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The big story ahead of the tournament is Somali referee Omar Artan being barred entry into the United States, despite having his visa initially approved. He was selected as one of 52 lead officials this summer, but it appears that that will be no more after FIFA confirmed that he had been refused at the American border.

As for England, the Three Lions face Costa Rica at the Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida, in their final warm-up match. That should include the four late-arriving Arsenal stars, before the squad fly out to their World Cup base in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 13. You can follow all the latest news and updates from across the tournament - including insight and analysis from Dom Smith in the States - with our rolling news live blog below!