Does referee case show Fifa has lost control of its own World Cup?

Does referee case show Fifa has lost control of its own World Cup?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Fifa president Gianni Infantino has ingratiated himself with US President Donald Trump over the past two yearsByDale JohnsonFootball issues correspondentPublished3 minutes agoCommentsThere had always been real concerns that supporters would have difficulties getting into the United States for the 2026 World Cup.But not a referee.The tournament is supposed to bring together the best of the best in football - players, coaches and officials.Omar Artan is the number one referee from Africa. He will not be allowed to officiate at the World Cup.Artan, from Somalia, flew into Miami to join up with the other 51 referees. After what he says was an 11-hour grilling by immigration officials, he was put back on a plane."It is pretty clear that the fears of an ideological and discriminatory visa policy from the US government is being realised," said Piara Powar, executive director of discrimination campaign group Fare."Never have we seen the farce of an official Fifa referee being refused entry as he arrives for final preparations."Concerns remain about the potential presence of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at stadiums, and how fans could be affected.With 48 hours still to go until the World Cup kicks off, does Fifa have little control about what will happen outside the stadiums?Artan earned his World Cup dreamImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Omar Artan has refereed several major games over the past 12 months, including the African Champions League final and the third-place play-off of the U-20 World Cup in ChileAfter the controversy of the 2018 and 2022 tournaments in Russia and Qatar, the 2026 edition was supposed to give everyone a chance to concentrate on the football.Remarkably, this World Cup is in danger of being more controversial.The astronomical cost of tickets, a subpoena over ticket practices, criticism of Fifa over ho...