MOGADISHU — Former Côte d’Ivoire international Didier Drogba has said that if the United States does not wish to allow entry to foreign nationals, it should not host the FIFA World Cup 2026, following reports of visa-related restrictions affecting fans and officials.
Drogba described the reported denial of entry to Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, as well as potential ticket access issues affecting Iranian supporters, as “completely unacceptable,” urging that football should remain separate from politics.
“When a country applies to host the world’s biggest football tournament, it is fully aware of what comes with it: players, referees, officials and fans coming from all over the world,” Drogba said.
Referring to the Somali referee, he added: “Looking at the situation of referee Artan, I was very disappointed. FIFA selected him based on merit, yet he was prevented from participating after being denied entry.”
He also criticized reports that Iranian fans could face reduced ticket allocations shortly before the tournament.
“If that is true, it means ordinary supporters are being punished for matters unrelated to football. The people affected are not politicians; they are fans who have saved for years to support their national teams,” he said.
Drogba said football has long served as a unifying force across cultures and nations, warning against political interference in the game.
“Football has always been one of the few things that bring different cultures together. When politics determines who can participate in that experience, everyone loses,” he said.
Having played at multiple World Cups, Drogba said the tournament’s appeal lies in its global inclusivity.
“No fan should be judged by nationality, and no referee should miss the biggest moment of their career due to political issues beyond their control,” he added.
He urged FIFA and global football authorities to address the issue, warning that current developments risk shifting attention away from the sport itself.
“The World Cup should belong to the whole world. That is what makes it special. Football must always come first, and politics should never overshadow the game’s greatest celebration,” he said.
