The exclusion of a Somali referee from the United States World Cup has sparked outrage among UK football authorities, who are now demanding a global adherence to fair play rules. Ismail Mohamed, a highly regarded official from the Somali Football Federation, was informed last week that his application to officiate at the 2026 tournament had been rejected by US immigration authorities. No official reason was given, but sources close to the referee suggest that visa restrictions based on his country of origin were the primary obstacle.
Mohamed, 42, has refereed at the highest levels of African football, including the Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifiers. His exclusion has drawn sharp criticism from the Football Association (FA) and the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), who argue that football’s governing bodies must ensure that officials are selected based on merit, not nationality or political considerations.
“This is a direct affront to the principles of fair play that our sport is built on,” said a spokesperson for the FA. “We call on FIFA and the US authorities to urgently review this decision and ensure that all qualified referees, regardless of their background, are given equal opportunity to participate in the World Cup.”
The incident has reignited debates about the politicisation of global sporting events. Union leaders and football campaigners in the UK have pointed out that similar barriers have historically affected officials from countries in the Global South. The Referees’ Association has also voiced its support, stating that “football must remain a universal language, free from arbitrary restrictions.”
For Mohamed, the rejection is a devastating personal blow. In an interview with a Somali broadcaster, he said: “I have worked my whole life for this moment. To be told I cannot enter a country because of where I was born, when I have done nothing wrong, is heartbreaking. I hope the football community can stand together to ensure this does not happen again.”
UK football authorities are now pushing for an amendment to FIFA’s tournament regulations, explicitly barring host nations from imposing visa restrictions on accredited officials without clear, objective justification. The move has garnered cross-party support from MPs, who have tabled an early day motion in Parliament condemning the ban.
The stakes are high. The 2026 World Cup, to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is expected to be the most watched in history. With the tournament still four years away, the Mohamed case could set a precedent for how host countries treat FIFA appointees. Labour MP Clive Betts, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Football, said: “We cannot have a situation where a referee is barred for no reason other than his passport. This is a test of football’s commitment to equality.”
As pressure mounts, the US Soccer Federation has remained silent. But the FA has made it clear: if Mohamed is not reinstated, UK officials will consider a boycott of the tournament’s refereeing programme. For now, the football world watches. And Ismail Mohamed waits.
