The White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup has defended the decision to deny entry visas to a Somali referee and some members of Iran’s football delegation, citing security concerns.
Speaking at an event hosted by the Atlantic Council in Washington, Executive Director of the task force, Andrew Giuliani, said no players or coaches from participating teams had been denied entry into the United States.
According to Giuliani, while a small number of officials were refused visas, the decisions were made for security reasons and in line with measures aimed at preventing potential threats during the tournament.
Among those affected is Somali referee Omar Artan, who was reportedly denied entry into the United States despite being named the Confederation of African Football’s Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025. Artan would have become the first Somali official to referee at a FIFA World Cup.
Giuliani declined to provide specific details regarding the decision but maintained that the denial was based on valid security considerations.
He also addressed concerns raised by the Iranian Football Federation, which reported that some support staff were denied visas and that supporters had encountered ticketing restrictions. Giuliani stated that all Iranian coaching staff had been cleared for entry, while some officials were denied access for security-related reasons.
The White House official reaffirmed the U.S. government’s commitment to ensuring a safe and secure tournament while maintaining a level playing field for all participating nations.
He added that security agencies continue to monitor potential threats ahead of the tournament, noting that there are currently no credible threats to the competition.
