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The 2026 FIFA World Cup is supposed to be a celebration of football with 48 nations, three countries and a shared stage.
But before a single ball is kicked, the tournament is already making headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Several nations and officials have received not a warm welcome, but searches, arrests and, in one case, an outright denial of entry.
Footage that went viral on social media showed members of the Senegal national team being subjected to detailed security searches right on the tarmac at the San Antonio airport.
A humiliation and shame against which the Senegalese Football Federation has not spoken out. pic.twitter.com/ebFrut7XIi
—AlmarssadPro (@ProsMarocains) June 8, 2026
Players were removed from the plane, forced to undergo aggressive baggage searches and subjected to invasive screening in public view, right on the tarmac.
The online reaction was immediate and fierce. “The Senegalese delegation receives this treatment upon arrival in the United States. Complete searches on the tarmac, no shoes, bags turned upside down like criminals. This is straight up humiliation and shame,” wrote one X fan.
Another added: “There is no reason why teams should be humiliated like this.”
Uzbekistan’s players faced a similar experience. Upon arrival they were subjected to checks with drug detection dogs and metal detectors.
Two national teams, representing their countries on football’s biggest stage, were treated in a way that many observers described as deeply disrespectful.
Africa’s best denied and humiliated
For the World Cup after being barred by immigration from the United States, Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan pronounces:
“Despite the circumstances, I am in good spirits and focused on the next challenges of my career. I would like to thank the football family for the messages and… pic.twitter.com/XUBx60ZkYg
— Planet of Football 🌎 (@futebol_info) June 9, 2026
The story that had the most impact was that of Somali official Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was named Best African Referee in 2025.
Artan was completely denied entry to the United States, despite having a diplomatic passport obtained from the Somali embassy.
FIFA confirmed that he will no longer be able to officiate at the World Cup.
Artan himself broke his silence after the incident, his words conveying the quiet devastation of a man who had earned his place on the world’s biggest stage, only to be turned away at the door.
Iraqi striker Aymen Hussein was also held and interrogated for nearly seven hours at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport after arriving with the national team.
Also read: Forget it! Super Eagles star doesn’t believe 2030 World Cup dream is possible
Iran’s national team has reportedly been informed that they can only enter and leave the United States on the days of their matches.
Four nations participating in the World Cup are under the Trump administration’s travel restrictions, with Haiti and Iran facing full entry bans, while Ivory Coast and Senegal face partial restrictions.
Many African fans who had valid visas chose to avoid the United States altogether, instead traveling to Canada or Mexico to watch games.
The hashtag #BoycottWorldCup2026 has been gaining traction online as anger grows over the treatment of players and officials from certain nations.  FIFA, for its part, has remained silent.
The World Cup starts in two days. On the pitch, the stories will be about goals, glory and heartbreak.
But from there, a different and much less comfortable conversation has already begun, about dignity, respect and about who this tournament is really welcoming.
