In the night of June 9–10, 2026, just hours before the official start of the World Cup, a series of major off-field events unfolded around the tournament. Not a single match had yet been played — the first game is scheduled for June 11 at the legendary Estadio Azteca in Mexico City — yet the news agenda proved extraordinarily eventful: a referee scandal, a criminal complaint against the FIFA president, and a change to Canada's squad due to a serious injury.
Somali Referee Barred from World Cup 2026 After Being Denied Entry to the US
The biggest story of the night centered on Somali referee Omar Artan. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirmed that the referee arrived at Miami International Airport on a flight from Istanbul on Saturday and, following additional screening, was deemed "inadmissible due to vetting issues" and denied entry to the country. FIFA subsequently confirmed the identity of the detained official and announced that Artan would not be able to participate in the 2026 World Cup. Somalia is among the countries whose citizens are subject to restrictions imposed by the Trump administration. Artan was set to become the first Somali to referee a World Cup match and was named the best referee in Africa in 2025. In a statement, the referee said that despite the circumstances he remained positive and focused on his future career. FIFA, for its part, emphasized that it does not participate in the immigration procedures of host countries and cannot influence decisions made by US authorities.
Criminal Complaint Against FIFA President Gianni Infantino
Just on the eve of the tournament's start, it emerged that former UEFA president Michel Platini had filed a criminal complaint in Paris against FIFA president Gianni Infantino and two former officials of the organization. Platini's lawyer, Olivier Baratelli, confirmed that the complaint accuses Infantino and others of "acting with the aim of removing Platini from the FIFA presidential race" in 2015–2016. Platini also filed a civil lawsuit against FIFA seeking financial compensation. It is worth recalling that in 2022 and 2025, Swiss courts fully acquitted Platini and Blatter in criminal proceedings related to a disputed payment of 2 million Swiss francs. This case adds tension around FIFA at the very moment the organization is preparing to host the largest World Cup in history.
Canada: Marcelo Flores Out with ACL Tear, Replaced by Jayden Nelson
The Canadian national team suffered a significant blow on the eve of the home tournament. Canada Soccer officially announced that 22-year-old winger Marcelo Flores has been ruled out of the squad due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, sustained on May 30 in the CONCACAF Champions Cup final while playing for Tigres UANL. Surgery took place on June 5. In his place, 23-year-old Austin FC winger Jayden Nelson, who had been with the squad as a standby player, has been added to the roster. Nelson has scored three goals in 14 appearances for the national team, including the decisive goal in a friendly against Uzbekistan. Canada will open their 2026 World Cup campaign on June 12 against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto.
Broader Context: The Tournament Kicks Off on June 11
The 2026 World Cup will officially begin on June 11 with the match between Mexico and South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. On the same day, a Group A match between South Korea and the Czech Republic will take place in Guadalajara. For the first time in history, the tournament is being held across three host countries — the United States, Canada, and Mexico — and for the first time features 48 national teams divided into 12 groups of four. A total of 104 matches are scheduled, with the final taking place on July 19 at New York — New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium).
- Opening match: June 11, Mexico vs. South Africa, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
- Format: 48 teams, 12 groups, new round of 32
- Final: July 19, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Hosts: USA (78 matches), Canada and Mexico (13 matches each)
