By Tokunbo Peters

FIFA may have made a serious mistake by allowing the United States to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Imagine U.S. immigration authorities in Miami denying entry to Africa’s best referee, Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was appointed by FIFA to officiate at the tournament, despite holding a valid U.S. visa.

Denying Omar Abdulkadir entry into the United States and preventing him from officiating in scheduled matches undermines football’s apolitical ideals, its commitment to meritocracy, and the spirit of fair play that FIFA constantly promotes. It has also deprived Africa of fair representation among the tournament’s referees. FIFA ought to have intervened to facilitate his entry into the United States or, alternatively, assigned him to matches scheduled to be played in Mexico or Canada, the other co-hosts of the tournament.

Similarly, the United States has barred the Iranian national football team from staying overnight on American soil, even though the players and technical staff were granted visas to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Instead, they have been instructed to remain in Tijuana, Mexico, and cross the border only on match days, returning immediately after their games.

This would be akin to a team travelling from Cotonou, Benin Republic, to play matches in Lagos and then returning to Cotonou on the same day. Such an arrangement would be physically demanding and exhausting, leaving the players at a significant disadvantage to compete favourably against their opponents.

FIFA frequently insists that there is no place for politics in football, but in practice, this principle often appears to be applied selectively. In 2023, FIFA stripped Indonesia of its right to host the FIFA U-20 World Cup just two months before the tournament after the Governor of Bali called for Israel’s youth team to be barred from playing matches on the island.

It is also noteworthy that Russia was suspended by both FIFA and UEFA from international football competitions following its invasion of Ukraine, while Israel has remained untouched despite its genocide in Gaza, the indictment of its Prime Minister Benjamin Natanyahu for war crimes and crimes against humanity by the ICC and calls from various international human rights organisations for sanctions against Israel. Even European Union countries like France, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, Sweden, and the Netherlands have called for sanctions against Israel. But FIFA that was quick to ban Russia has been unperturbed.

From all indications, FIFA appears to operate with two sets of rules, applying them differently depending on the country involved.

By Seyi Balogun, Abuja

Omar Artan, Africa’s best male referee in 2025, Wednesday returned to Somalia to a hero’s welcome by his compatriots.

After his entry refusal, FIFA also delisted his name as the 2026 tournament’s referee.

But back home, he told supporters his plans to be at the next World Cup urging Somalians, especially youth to be proud of their country.

Artan took the journey to be the first referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup after making FIFA’s final list for the tournament.

But that was not to be as the Miami International Airport on Saturday changed everything over what was tagged as “vetting concerns,” by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Artan had last week been issued a valid visa to travel to the U.S, according to the Somalia Embassy in Kenya, which processed it. The U.S. is one of hosts of the tournament with Mexico and Canada, and Artan was due to join other World Cup referees at their training camp in Miami.

Back to the Somali capital, Mogadishu, after his ordeal, he thanked the government, public and FIFA for their support.

“I promise you, God willing, that I will attend the next one,” he continued, as he addressed a crowd of supporters waving Somali flags: “I want the Somali public to take comfort in this and remain confident.”

–Establishes Lobi Stars Under-19 Feeder Team
–Female team on the way

Terkura Vande in Makurdi

That Simon Terver Ikya, Chairman of Lobi Stars Football Club, FC, of Makurdi, has great ideas for the club is no longer in doubt.

With the Lobi Stars under-19 Feeder Team in place, where young players can be identified, nurtured and developed into great stars is giving the team a renewed sense of direction.

According to Ikya: “The Under-19 (feeder) team will provide a structured pathway for identifying, nurturing, and developing talented young footballers who can eventually progress into the senior team.

“Beyond strengthening our football structure, the feeder team will create opportunities for talented youths across Benue state and Nigeria to develop their skills, pursue professional careers, and contribute positively to society.

“We firmly believe that investing in young people today is the surest way to secure the future successes of Lobi Stars Football Club.”

Similarly, in his conviction, for the football club to float a female team is to provide more opportunities for Benue youth, this time, ladies to excel in soccer.

He made this known at the opening of the 2026, Lobi Stars Talent Hunt, while explaining that “Women football continues to experience remarkable growth globally, and we are determined to position Lobi Stars FC, to participate meaningfully in that progress.

“The proposed female team will create opportunities for talented female footballers and further expand the club’s contribution to sports development in Benue state.”

While expressing his belief that investing in young talents is a sure way to securing the future successes of Lobi Stars, Ikya believes that modern football administration demands inclusiveness and providing equal opportunities for both men and women.