US Bars Iranian Officials, African Referee from World Cup; White House Cites 'Very Good' Reasons
📡 Anadolu Ajansı RSS various categories · 1 min read ·
Part of composite article 2026 World Cup in Chaos: Visa Bans, Trade Wars & $1,000 Tickets Threaten FIFA's Biggest Event View full article →
The United States has denied entry to several Iranian officials and an African referee ahead of the 2026 World Cup, a move the White House defends as based on "very good" security reasons. White House official Andrew Giuliani confirmed the decision, stating that the security measures target specific individuals for reasons tied to national security protocols. The denials have drawn scrutiny, but the administration has not disclosed further details about the individuals involved or the exact nature of the threats. The 2026 tournament, co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, is expected to draw millions of international visitors.