The White House World Cup Chief has publicly defended the visa ban imposed on a Somali referee, Artan, who was recognized as the men's referee of the year by the Confederation of African Football in 2025. This decision has drawn attention as Artan was set to become the first Somali official to referee at a World Cup event. The ban also affects referees from Iran, highlighting ongoing tensions surrounding visa policies for international sporting events. The official's remarks come amid discussions about the implications of such bans on global sports representation.
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