Somali referee axed from World Cup after being denied entry to US: FIFA

Los Angeles, United States: Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan has been dropped from officiating at the World Cup after being barred from entering the United States, world football's governing body FIFA said on Monday.

A FIFA spokesperson confirmed in a statement that Artan, who was refused entry to the US after arriving at Miami International Airport, would play no part in the World Cup. moryak.biz

"FIFA can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States," a FIFA spokesperson told AFP.

FIFA emphasized that it was powerless to influence the decision, which it said was the sole preserve of tournament co-hosts the United States.

"FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan's status will not be changed at present," the spokesperson said.

"In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country."

It was not clear why Artan was refused entry to the United States but Somalia is one of several countries on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump's administration.

A government advisor in Mogadishu told AFP earlier Monday that Artan -- who would have been the first Somali to referee at a World Cup finals -- had a valid visa for the US.

"Omar Artan is among Africa's most respected referees and deserves the support of the entire football community," Ciise Aden Abshir, a senior advisor to Somalia's Ministry of Youth and Sports and a former national team captain, said.

Abshir said Artan flew back to Istanbul after being refused entry in Miami.

"Denying him entry to the United States and preventing him from officiating scheduled matches harms not only him personally but also undermines football's commitment to fairness, merit, and the spirit of fair play," Abshir added.

Artan was among the 52 referees announced by FIFA to officiate at the World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

He has been officiating in the Somali national football league championships since he became a FIFA referee in 2018.

He also officiated at the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Algeria, and in 2025 he was named by the Confederation of African Football as men's referee of the year.

Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud praised Artan in April after he made history as the first Somali to be selected to officiate at the World Cup finals.

"I commend the effort, professionalism, and integrity shown by referee Omar, as he has become a symbol of inspiration for the new generation of Somalis," said Mohamud.

Doha, Qatar: Morocco head to the 2026 FIFA World Cup as Africa’s strongest team and one of the leading forces in Arab football, determined to build on the history they made four years ago in Qatar.

The Atlas Lions have enjoyed remarkable success in recent years. Alongside their historic World Cup achievements, Morocco won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025 to claim their second continental title after their 1976 triumph. They have also lifted the African Nations Championship twice (2018, 2020) and the FIFA Arab Cup twice (2012, 2025).

Their defining moment, however, came at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where they became the first African and Arab nation to reach a World Cup semi-final. Morocco defeated Belgium, Spain and Portugal on their way to a fourth-place finish, eventually losing 2-1 to Croatia in the third-place play-off.

This time, expectations are even higher.

Morocco’s Group C campaign begins with one of the tournament’s standout fixtures against five-time world champions Brazil on June 13 - the match kicking off in the early hours of June 14 Qatar time - at New York New Jersey Stadium. The high-profile clash is expected to provide an immediate test of Morocco’s ambitions before matches against Scotland and Haiti.

Captain Achraf Hakimi believes Morocco can go even further than they did in Qatar.

“A World Cup is coming this summer, and we’re going to give everything. The group is confident, and we’re preparing to have a great tournament, like we did in Qatar in 2022. Why not do even better than we did in Qatar and go as far as possible?” Hakimi said.

The Paris Saint-Germain star added: “Our objective is clear: to make football history.”

Hakimi will once again lead a talented squad that includes goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, midfielder Sofyan Amrabat and forward Brahim Diaz, combining experience with a new generation of emerging stars.

Among them is 18-year-old Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, who recently chose to represent Morocco over France and is set to make his World Cup debut.

Calling his selection a “dream come true”, Bouaddi said: “I am aware of the privilege I have to defend these colours, and I will give everything to represent my country in the best possible way.”

Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi believes the country’s growing talent pool is one of its greatest strengths heading into the tournament.

“We really kept tabs on a great many players. That proves one thing: we have a huge pool of talent,” Ouahbi said.

Speaking about Bouaddi, he added: “We’re very proud and delighted to have him with us. The most important thing is that he is very proud to represent Morocco.”

No longer viewed as underdogs, Morocco arrive in North America carrying genuine expectations. After breaking barriers in Qatar and adding more trophies to their collection since then, the Atlas Lions believe they can once again challenge football’s biggest nations.

Their opening match against Brazil will provide the first opportunity to show that their historic run in 2022 was only the beginning.

Copenhagen: Christian Eriksen is in "good spirits", said the Danish team football doctor, despite being hospitalised after collapsing during Denmark's friendly against Ukraine, five years after suffering a cardiac arrest during the European Championship.

The 34-year-old former Manchester United midfielder, who had a type of pacemaker inserted after he collapsed in 2021, fell to the ground in the 64th minute of the match in Odense on Sunday.

Medical staff rushed onto the pitch while players from both teams gathered around him to shield the scene from television or smartphone cameras.

The referee called off the match and Eriksen was subsequently taken to hospital, having been shielded by both sets of players as he walked off the pitch.

Denmark's team doctor Morten Boesen said Eriksen had been "briefly unconscious" but "the pacemaker responded as it should".

Boesen was able to offer a positive update early on Monday morning.

"I spoke to Christian this morning, and he is doing well," he said in comments posted on Instagram.

"He is with his family and in good spirits.

"The expectation is that he will be discharged soon and can return home."

Boesen said he and his medical team were in touch with the Danish national side's players on a regular basis.

"We are taking good care of the players and staff and are in regular contact with them."

Eriksen has worn the pacemaker since he collapsed during the group stage game against Finland at Euro 2020, which was played in 2021.

That led to him spending more than six months away from football.

Denmark captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg praised the swift help his team-mate received.

"There was a throw-in and I walked calmly to the touchline. Then I turned around and I saw Christian collapse," he told Danish television station TV2.

"We know very well what that means and the reaction was extremely rapid and respectful."

Denmark coach Brian Riemer, who worked with Eriksen at Premier League side Brentford, said it had been "an extremely shocking experience for everyone, the staff, the players and the opponents".

He said: "He's someone who counts a lot for me. You're closer to certain players than others and he was one of the ones I got close to at Brentford."

'Really awful'

Eriksen resumed his career at Brentford seven months after his collapse, having been forced to leave Inter Milan because of Italy's rules against playing with a pacemaker.

He went on to join Manchester United, where he won the FA Cup and League Cup, and now plays for Wolfsburg in Germany, where he has another year to run on his contract.

He also returned to international football, playing for Denmark at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and Euro 2024 in Germany.

Denmark have not qualified for the World Cup in North America, which starts next week.

Former Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner said the latest incident had been "really awful" but was relieved Eriksen was conscious.

"The main thing is that he was able to walk off by himself because that makes you think he's doing OK given the circumstances," Bendtner told TV2.

"But these are terrible images that outweigh the rest of the evening.

"It's the second time it's happened and as a friend of Christian's, it's really awful."

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Reactive vs Preventive: The Real Cost Comparison

Many facility managers choose to deal with repairs only when something breaks. On the surface, this seems like a cost-saving approach. In reality, it is consistently more expensive.

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	Reactive Maintenance	AMC (Preventive)
Cost structure	Unpredictable, emergency rates	Fixed annual fee
Response time	Days to weeks	Priority same/next day
Parts availability	Delays due to urgent sourcing	Pre-stocked locally
Equipment downtime	Frequent, extended	Minimal
Equipment lifespan	Shorter due to neglected wear	Extended by 30–50%
Documentation	None	Full service records
Compliance	At risk	Fully covered

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does a gym equipment annual maintenance contract in Qatar include?

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How often should gym equipment be serviced in Qatar?

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Contact Sports Village Qatar Today +974 44501166 [email protected] Building No 86, Street 340, Zone 39, Near Jarir Book Store, Ramada Signal, Salwa Road, Doha, Qatar www.sportsvillageqatar.com

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Sports Village Qatar — Qatar’s Most Trusted Gym Equipment Supplier and Service Partner Since 2006