By Victor Ahiuma-Young

The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation, ITUC-Africa, has raised concerns over what it describes as troubling questions of fairness, transparency and possible discrimination following the denial of entry into the United States of a FIFA-selected African referee ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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In a statement issued from Lome, Togo by ITUC-Africa , General Secretary Akhator Joel Odigie, the group expressed solidarity with Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was reportedly prevented from entering the United States despite having been granted a valid visa and selected by FIFA to officiate at the tournament.

According to the organisation, Artan, 34, is one of Africa’s most accomplished referees and was chosen by FIFA after undergoing the governing body’s rigorous vetting and selection process. However, despite securing the necessary travel documentation, he was allegedly denied entry upon arrival in the United States.

ITUC-Africa said the incident raises serious concerns about the predictability and fairness of arrangements for accredited participants in the world’s biggest football tournament.

“Football belongs to the world. It must remain open to the world,” the organisation declared, warning that no referee, player, official or supporter should be denied the opportunity to participate based on nationality, origin or factors unrelated to their role in the game.

The labour body noted that Artan’s case is not an isolated incident. It cited reports that Iraqi international footballer Aymen Hussein was detained for several hours at a US airport, while the Iraqi national team’s photographer was allegedly denied entry altogether. It also referred to reported poor treatment of members of the Senegalese national team.

According to ITUC-Africa, such incidents risk creating a perception that some participants in global football are less welcome than others, particularly those from Africa and other developing regions.

The organisation argued that the issue resonates strongly across Africa, where citizens continue to face significant visa restrictions and travel barriers despite their growing contributions to global sport, culture, science and development.

“The denial of entry to a FIFA-appointed African referee inevitably raises broader concerns about unequal access and treatment within international systems,” the statement said.

ITUC-Africa further urged FIFA to reflect carefully on the implications of hosting major international tournaments in countries where accredited participants could face exclusion because of immigration decisions that may appear opaque or inconsistent.

While acknowledging the sovereign right of nations to control their borders, the organisation maintained that FIFA has a responsibility to protect the integrity, inclusiveness and universality of football.

The group also warned against allowing commercial interests to outweigh principles of accessibility, equality and fairness, saying such developments could undermine confidence in the organisation of future global sporting events.

“No football has been kicked on the playing turf yet, but abuses are already setting off in the airports,” the statement said, adding that racism, hate and extremism have no place in football and must be rejected before, during and after the tournament.

ITUC-Africa called on FIFA and host governments to ensure that future international sporting events uphold fairness, transparency, equality and human dignity for all participants, regardless of nationality or background.