The 2026 World Cup is just two days away, with Mexico set to kick off the tournament against South Africa on Thursday evening. As anticipation builds, several major stories have emerged, including a referee being denied entry into the United States and an extra bank holiday being approved for Scotland.
Referee Denied Entry to USA
Somali referee Omar Artan has been denied entry into the United States and will no longer officiate at the World Cup. Artan, who had received a diplomatic passport to overcome visa issues, was turned away upon arrival at Miami International Airport. US Customs and Border Protection cited vetting concerns as the reason for the denial.
In a statement, Artan remained optimistic: "Despite the circumstances, I am in a positive mood and I am focused on the next challenges in my refereeing career. I would like to thank FIFA and CAF for all their support."
Extra Bank Holiday in Scotland
King Charles has granted royal approval for a special one-off bank holiday in Scotland on Monday, June 15. This allows fans to watch their national team compete in the World Cup for the first time in 28 years. Scotland's opening Group C fixture against Haiti takes place in the early hours of Sunday, June 14 at 2am BST. The additional day off is designed to let supporters enjoy the late-night match and recuperate before returning to work.
England's Preparations
Thomas Tuchel will lead England at the World Cup, aiming to end 60 years of hurt. The Three Lions face Costa Rica in their final warm-up match, giving the German coach one last opportunity to decide whether Jude Bellingham or Morgan Rogers will start against Croatia on June 17.
Iran's Travel Challenges
The ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran has forced the Iranian team to fly in from Mexico on the day of their matches, as they were unable to prepare in Arizona as planned. All of Iran's group matches are in the US.
Mexico's Peaceful Opening
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has assured a peaceful opening ceremony, despite potential protests from teachers' unions. She accused political opponents of attempting to provoke a crackdown that would generate negative headlines. Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey are scheduled to host 13 matches.
Other News
Belgium have arrived in Seattle ahead of their opening clash against Egypt, while Germany have been training in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The USMNT held an open training session in Irvine, California, with 32,000 applicants for 5,500 spots. Coach Mauricio Pochettino addressed the crowd, expressing pride and gratitude.
Gary Lineker revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo no longer speaks to him after Lineker rated Lionel Messi as the better player. England's players also took part in a cricket session during training.
