Baerbock criticizes FIFA and demands a clear stance after entry refusal for World Cup referee

Artan was denied entry by the host country despite holding a valid visa, when he sought to travel into the USA. The US authorities cited security concerns over alleged ties to a terrorist organization in his home country as the reason. The 34-year-old Somali, who was named Africa's Referee of the Year 2025, was supposed to officiate matches in the final tournament and was also scheduled to referee the Super Cup final on August 12 in Salzburg.

Baerbock formulated a clear expectation of the world governing body: 'Now FIFA must take action to make clear that it stands by its own rules.' The UN General Assembly President invoked the principle of sporting neutrality: 'Neutrality means letting all referees enter.' In doing so, she also indirectly exerted pressure on US entry practices, which had been tightened under President Donald Trump for 39 countries – including Somalia.

Reactions from UEFA and FIFA

The Union of European Football Associations, UEFA, had already responded to Artan's denial of entry in the USA, signaling solidarity with the affected referee at an early stage. The case is emblematic of a fundamental debate over the access of World Cup participants to the host country. According to the BBC, citing sources close to world governing body FIFA, Artan is to receive his full compensation as a World Cup referee despite the denied entry.

Exactly how much the referees receive for their work at the World Cup in Mexico, Canada, and the USA, they will only learn after the tournament. This practice is additionally fueling discussion about the working conditions of the match officials, who have so far received little attention behind the scenes of the major event.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino also commented on the incident, acknowledging that the denied entry was 'of course unfortunate'. At the same time, he pointed to the limits of his organization's influence: 'We do not control everything. We try, we will discuss, we will talk, we will see. Sometimes it is good just to chill, relax. We try to solve everything.'

Open questions ahead of the tournament

At the same time, Infantino made clear that FIFA does not claim authority over governmental decisions: 'we must respect that we are not the kings of the world, who dictate to governments and the police. We are a sports organization.' With this formulation, he deliberately drew a line between the federation's remit and matters of sovereign authority.

The conflict comes at a time when US entry regulations are one of the central issues surrounding the upcoming World Cup finals. Baerbock's demand for a clear commitment by FIFA to its own statutes and values lends additional political weight to the debate. The coming weeks before the start of the tournament will show whether the world governing body will take concrete steps beyond its previous responses to ensure the participation of all nominated officials.

Regardless of the outcome, the Artan case remains a symbol of the tensions between sports-political aspirations and state security interests. The UN General Assembly President's demand that neutrality also means letting all referees enter sets a normative standard against which FIFA and its partners are likely to be measured in the future.