Giuliani defends visa decisions amid World Cup referee controversy

Yahoo Sports1 min read • Latest: Jun 14, 2026, 9:31 PM

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

Giuliani defends visa decisions amid World Cup referee controversy
Summary

Andrew Giuliani, the Executive Director of the White House World Cup task force, defended the denial of entry for CAF Men's Referee of the Year Omar Artan. Guiliani emphasized the need to vet individuals entering the U.S. during the tournament, citing concerns about Artan's associations prior to his travel. While FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed disappointment over the decision, Giuliani highlighted the success in granting visas to players and officials, aiming for a smooth experience at the World Cup. The task force aims to ensure safety and security during the event, which features numerous matches across the U.S.

Source Links
Latest Updates
  • Giuliani discusses security measures during World Cup matches.
  • More than 5 million ESTA approvals issued this fiscal year.
  • Omar Artan will not officiate but will be compensated.
  • Iran players received visas after initial uncertainty.
  • Task force aims for a successful World Cup experience.
Latest Updates
  • 9:31 PMYahoo SportsWhite House World Cup task force director Andrew Giuliani defends visa decisions
What they're saying
"

White House World Cup task force director Andrew Giuliani says administration won't "let the guys of a soccer tournament allow bad actors' into U.S."

Related Teams & Leagues

Sources

External links

Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.

Related Stories

Last 14 days