Ramallah: The man who leads Palestinian football is still stuck in Mexico City, awaiting entry to the United States as World Cup officials from around the globe gather for the 2026 tournament. Jibril Rajoub attended Thursday’s opening match between Mexico and South Africa, but he remains one of several accredited World Cup guests who have either been denied U.S. visas or are still waiting for them. “I don’t believe that it’s fair to use or to abuse and deny the right of all footballers all over the world to attend,” the…

South Africa’s World Cup journey began under the bright lights of the Estadio Azteca with an early setback, as Bafana Bafana slipped to a 2-0 defeat against tournament co-hosts Mexico in Mexico City. The tone was set almost immediately: within the opening nine minutes, Mexican striker Julián Quiñones punished a defensive error, pouncing on a blunder to drive home the first goal. Mexico continued to look the more dangerous side, led by a lively Raúl Jiménez who repeatedly tested South Africa’s back line and emerged as the…

Friday June 12, 2026 Denied entry to the United States, FIFA World Cup referee Omar Artan returned to Somalia to a hero’s welcome, underscoring how quickly a sports setback can turn into a moment of national pride. In the meantime, B.C. Premier David Eby and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow have both said they would like to see Artan officiate matches in Canada.

Friday June 12, 2026 Raul Jimenez (up C) and Jesus Gallardo (up L) of Mexico vie for a header during the match. (Xinhua/Wu Wei) Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez struck in either half as co-host Mexico opened the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a commanding 2-0 victory over nine-man South Africa on Thursday. Quinones pounced on a turnover to put Mexico ahead early in the Group A contest, and South Africa’s task grew tougher when Sphephelo Sithole was shown a red card for dragging down Brian Gutierrez. Jimenez later headed in…

Friday June 12, 2026 Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group A - South Korea v Czech Republic - Estadio Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico - June 11, 2026 Czech Republic's Ladislav Krejci in action REUTERS/Paul Childs Purchase Licensing Rights South Korea roared back from an early deficit to claim a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in their opening World Cup Group A match on Thursday, with substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu striking the decisive goal in the 80th minute. The Koreans had already squandered several…

PARIS — UEFA has handed Somali referee Omar Adan Artan one of the biggest appointments of his career, naming him to take charge of the 2026 UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa, a notable milestone for Somali and African football. The match will be played on August 12 in Salzburg, Austria, and will bring together Champions League winners PSG and Aston Villa, who earned their place as Europa League champions. UEFA said the decision came after talks with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which…

Thursday June 11, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, barred from officiating at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being denied entry to the United States, has now been handed one of UEFA’s top assignments: the Super Cup in August, the confederation announced. Artan is set to referee the Aug. 12 showdown in Salzburg between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa, UEFA said. “Referee announced for 2026 #SuperCup! We’re pleased to share that Somali referee Omar Artan will officiate the highly anticipated…

By  OMAR FARUK and EVELYNE MUSAMBIThursday June 11, 2026 For Omar Artan, the road to soccer’s biggest stage seemed to end in triumph. Instead, the Somali referee who was set to become the first from his country to work a World Cup match was turned away at the U.S. border — then returned home to a rousing welcome and a continental honor that underscored his standing across Africa. Artan, 34, had earned a place on FIFA’s final list of referees for the tournament, a milestone built on years of work in a nation of about 19…

Thursday June 11, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was blocked from taking part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being denied entry to the United States, has now been handed one of European football’s biggest officiating assignments: the UEFA Super Cup in August, UEFA said. Artan will oversee the Aug. 12 meeting between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg, according to the European governing body. “Referee announced for 2026 #SuperCup! We’re pleased to share that Somali referee…

Thursday June 11, 2026 World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Tuesday threw his support behind Somali referee Omar Artan after reports emerged that he had been refused entry to the United States ahead of the FIFA World Cup. “Omar Artan didn’t just make the FIFA World Cup, he made history as the first Somali referee to get there, and as Africa’s best. That milestone stands no matter what,” Tedros said on X. He said Artan had reached the pinnacle of his profession and, in the process,…