Artan was expected to join ’s group of 52 World Cup referees. His reported entry problem raises immediate questions about how reliably tournament personnel can move between host cities.
These cases remain subject to confirmation, but the pattern described in the update is difficult to separate from tournament planning. A referee missing preparation or a player arriving after a prolonged detention creates disruption well before kickoff.
The concerns extend beyond teams. The report says supporters, particularly those travelling from African countries, are encountering difficulties securing US visas. Anxiety has also grown over the possible presence of immigration agents near tournament venues.
That matters because a World Cup depends on movement as much as spectacle. Fans fill stadiums, teams travel across host cities and officials must operate on fixed schedules. Delays at borders can affect attendance, preparation and the atmosphere around matches.
The report links the uncertainty to a 2025 US travel restriction covering 39 countries, including Somalia, Haiti, Iran, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire. Several qualified nations are therefore connected directly to the wider immigration debate.
The next test comes when the tournament opens this week. Host authorities and football officials will need to provide clear assurances that referees, squads and supporters can enter without further disruption. The opening match may be on the field, but the first major test of the World Cup is already taking place at the border.