VARIOUS CITIES - JUNE 08: USA team players train in front of 5,500 fans during an open practice ahead of the 2026 World Cup at the Irvine Sports Complex on June 08, 2026 in Irvine, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

VARIOUS CITIES - JUNE 08: The United States team trains in front of 5,500 fans during an open practice ahead of the 2026 World Cup at the Irvine Sports Complex on June 08, 2026 in Irvine, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

VARIOUS CITIES - JUNE 08: The United States team trains in front of 5,500 fans during an open practice ahead of the 2026 World Cup at the Irvine Sports Complex on June 08, 2026 in Irvine, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

(FILES) Gabon's forward #20 Denis Bouanga is shown the yellow card by Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group F football match between Gabon and Ivory Coast at the Grand Stadium in Marrakech on December 31, 2025. Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan, set to be the first from his country to officiate at the World Cup, was denied entry to the United States, a sports ministry official told AFP on June 8, 2026. "Denying him entry to the United States and preventing him from officiating scheduled matches harms not only him personally but also undermines football's commitment to fairness, merit, and the spirit of fair play," Ciise Aden Abshir, a senior advisor to Somalia's Ministry of Youth and Sports and a former national team captain, told AFP. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP via Getty Images)

(FILES) Guinea's defender #3 Issiaga Sylla (L) speaks with Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 round of 16 football match between Equatorial Guinea and Guinea at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan, on January 28, 2024. Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan, set to be the first from his country to officiate at the World Cup, was denied entry to the United States, a sports ministry official told AFP on June 8, 2026. "Denying him entry to the United States and preventing him from officiating scheduled matches harms not only him personally but also undermines football's commitment to fairness, merit, and the spirit of fair play," Ciise Aden Abshir, a senior advisor to Somalia's Ministry of Youth and Sports and a former national team captain, told AFP. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images)

(FILES) Equatorial Guinea's midfielder #4 Fede Bikoro (2R) speaks with Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan (C) during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 round of 16 football match between Equatorial Guinea and Guinea at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan, on January 28, 2024. Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan, set to be the first from his country to officiate at the World Cup, was denied entry to the United States, a sports ministry official told AFP on June 8, 2026. "Denying him entry to the United States and preventing him from officiating scheduled matches harms not only him personally but also undermines football's commitment to fairness, merit, and the spirit of fair play," Ciise Aden Abshir, a senior advisor to Somalia's Ministry of Youth and Sports and a former national team captain, told AFP. (Photo by Issouf SANOGO / AFP via Getty Images)

(FILES) Somalian referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan gestures during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 group D football match between Mauritania and Algeria at Stade de la Paix in Bouake on January 23, 2024. Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan, set to be the first from his country to officiate at the World Cup, was denied entry to the United States, a sports ministry official told AFP on June 8, 2026. "Denying him entry to the United States and preventing him from officiating scheduled matches harms not only him personally but also undermines football's commitment to fairness, merit, and the spirit of fair play," Ciise Aden Abshir, a senior advisor to Somalia's Ministry of Youth and Sports and a former national team captain, told AFP. (Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD / AFP via Getty Images)

Morocco's forward #09 Soufiane Rahimi and Norway's defender #03 Kristoffer Ajer vie for the ball durng the international friendly football match between Morocco and Norway at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, on June 7, 2026. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP via Getty Images)