German Referee Markus Friedrich Barred from US, Set to Miss 2026 World Cup

In a stunning turn of events, FIFA has confirmed that top referee Markus Friedrich has been denied entry into the United States, meaning he will miss the 2026 World Cup. The German official, widely regarded as one of the best in the game, was expected to lead the officiating team during the group stage and potentially the knockout rounds. Sources close to Friedrich reveal that the visa rejection came without explanation, leaving the football world in disbelief. With just eight months until the t...