The biggest World Cup in history kicks off Thursday with a referee locked out, fans blocked at the border, and protesters blocking roads to the stadium.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino will face the media in Mexico City on Wednesday, the eve of the tournament, as questions mount over sky-high ticket prices and a US immigration crackdown that has already turned away a top African referee, fans, and team officials.
The 2026 men's World Cup is the largest ever — 48 teams, matches across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. But the off-field drama has stolen the spotlight before a single ball is kicked.
Referee's dream shattered at US border
Somali referee Omar Artan, named the 2025 men's referee of the year by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), was turned back at Miami International Airport on his way to officiate at the tournament. He would have been the first Somali to referee at a World Cup.
Artan told The New York Times that the "biggest dream of my life" had been ripped away. He said border officials subjected him to an 11-hour interview, then detained him for several more hours in a holding cell before putting him on a flight back to Turkey.
"I had the right papers and everything. I had the right visa," Artan said — confirmed by a Somali government advisor to AFP.
A US State Department official alleged to AFP that Artan was "associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations", making him "ineligible for admission to the United States".
Artan returned to a hero's welcome in Mogadishu and vowed to be at the next World Cup in 2030. "I will be at the next World Cup and will continue to make Somalia proud… Despite what has happened to me, I am not discouraged," he told supporters at the airport.
"I'm just simply a referee who's trying to live his dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup."
Protests threaten opening match
In Mexico City, protesters blocked an avenue leading to the Estadio Azteca on Tuesday, though police lines stopped them from reaching the stadium. Thousands joined the demonstration after a week of action that President Claudia Sheinbaum has called a "provocation."
Sheinbaum says the opening match between Mexico and South Africa is "guaranteed," but she's ruled out using police to crush the protests.
Messi returns, Argentina ready
On the pitch, Argentina's Lionel Messi scored just minutes after coming off the bench in a 3-0 warm-up win against Iceland on Tuesday, easing injury fears. The 38-year-old hadn't played since injuring a hamstring in late May.
Messi, who led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title, is set to feature in his sixth World Cup. Argentina open their campaign on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City.
Infantino's press conference later Wednesday will be closely watched. The FIFA boss rarely faces the media, and with a referee barred, fans locked out, and protests brewing, he's got a lot to answer for.