Visa Controversy Shadows 2026 World Cup: Players and Referees Denied Entry to US

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off with a thrilling opening fixture in Mexico, a troubling off-field issue is brewing. Reports indicate that players and match officials from nations on the US travel restriction list are being denied entry into the United States due to discriminatory visa policies. These bans disproportionately impact people of color and threaten to disrupt lineups across the group stage and beyond. For example, key stars from Nigeria or Iran could miss crucial knockout matches...