Top African Referee Ahmed Boulacane Barred from US Ahead of World Cup

In a development that has sent shockwaves through the football community, top African referee Ahmed Boulacane was denied entry to the United States. The Senegalese official, a fixture in high-profile African matches, was en route to a FIFA training camp when he was turned away at JFK Airport without clear explanation. This incident raises fresh concerns about security protocols for the 2026 World Cup, which will feature group stage fixtures across US cities. Boulacane's abrupt ban fuels speculat...