David Squires on… the World Cup
As football’s greatest spectacle arrives in North America, our cartoonist presents a touching narrative centered on the FIFA president.
Somalia’s Ministry of Sports has expressed
“deep regret”that referee Omar Artan will not participate in the World Cup after being denied entry.
In a statement, the Ministry reaffirmed its
“unwavering support”for Artan, stating it
“has full confidence in his integrity, professionalism, and continued contribution to the advancement of football both in Somalia and internationally… Artan represents the very best of Somali talent.”
Thanks Tom, hello everyone. Let’s begin this segment with another mention of our guide to all 1,248 players at this year’s tournament. I’m particularly excited to see this young talent in action on Thursday.
That concludes my part of the blog. Rob Smyth will now take over.
US Stadium and Hotel Workers Threaten Strikes Ahead of World Cup
Hospitality and food service workers in multiple US cities hosting World Cup matches are warning of potential labor disputes and strikes as the tournament prepares to commence on 11 June.
In Los Angeles, California, approximately 2,000 workers at SoFi Stadium, represented by Unite Here Local 11, voted 96% in favor of strike authorization. They are negotiating for a new union contract that includes wage increases and protections from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Cashiers, dishwashers, cooks, bartenders, concessions workers, and food attendants at the stadium could initiate a walkout at any time. The US’s opening match against Paraguay is scheduled at SoFi Stadium on 12 June.
“We’re just trying to make things fair,”said Eva Miles, a bartender at SoFi Stadium since its opening in 2021.
“Without us, they don’t have a stadium. Are they going to cook? Are they going to pour those drinks? Are they going to serve these people?”
Falkirk Signs Ethan Laidlaw from Brentford
In transfer news, Falkirk has acquired Ethan Laidlaw from Brentford for an undisclosed fee.
The Scotland youth international spent three years in West London after departing Hibernian and was voted players’ player of the year for Brentford B last season, achieving 15 goals and 10 assists, including 12 goals in his final 12 matches.
The Edinburgh-born forward, aged 21, has signed a two-year contract with an option for an additional 12 months.
Manager John McGlynn commented on the club’s website,
“His dad Stevie played under Paul at Berwick and was a very good striker. For much of his time there, he featured as a striker for Brentford B, although this season he has also played out wide as well as through the middle. He has had a very promising season. His direct running, power and strength, combined with his ability to get into the right positions and score goals, are qualities that really attracted us to him.”
Matildas Defeat Mexico 3-1 in Sydney
Quiz enthusiasts, I scored 22 out of 26. Surely you can do better!
In Sydney, the Matildas secured a 3-1 victory over Mexico, with goals from Alanna Kennedy, Caitlin Foord, and an own goal by Esthefanny Barreras.
Geopolitical Issues and Transfer Window Updates
Beyond the geopolitical challenges, the summer transfer window is active with many well-known players seeking new clubs. Michael Butler has compiled two age-group teams featuring these players.
Call for Referee Solidarity Following Omar Artan’s Denial of Entry
Reuven Fletcher has urged referees to support Omar Artan after US Customs denied the Somali official entry to officiate at the World Cup:
“As officials are arbiters of the game and are supposed to intervene in instances of racism on pitch surely it’s time for the officials at World Cup 26 to stand up in support of a colleague?
If the likes of Anthony Taylor and Michael Oliver (who like my family has deep roots in the mining community of Ashington, Northumberland) have anything about them they will decline to officiate until Omar Artan is admitted to the US and allowed to referee.
It’s about solidarity in the workplace, decency and standing up to racism, values that used to mean something in our society.
Frankly history won’t judge them well if they simply abandon a colleague.”
Football Regulator May Require David Sullivan to Sell West Ham Stake
David Sullivan, former pornography billionaire and 38.8% owner of West Ham United, may be compelled by the football regulator to sell his stake following accusations of sexually exploitative and predatory behavior toward women over several decades.
The 77-year-old resigned as director and co-chair of West Ham United on Saturday, preceding a joint BBC and Times investigation reporting seven women accusing him of sexual misconduct.
Three women alleged Sullivan abused his power as owner of the Sport newspapers to seek sexual favors when they were pursuing employment. Four others accused him of exploitative and predatory conduct, including attempts to pressure them into sex during business meetings.
Reporters interviewed dozens of former models and industry insiders, with some sources describing Sullivan as known for “casting couch” behavior.
More details from Jacob Steinberg:
A spokesman for the UK’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport told AFP:
“These deeply concerning allegations must be treated with the utmost seriousness and be investigated by the relevant authorities, with victims given the support they need.”
Before the allegations became public, Sullivan
“categorically denied”all claims. Neither he nor his lawyers have commented publicly since the reports were published.
‘It Was Madness in Baghdad’: René Meulensteen on Coaching Iraq and Assisting Ronaldo
Iraq’s qualification for their first World Cup in 40 years involved extraordinary sacrifices. After 20 qualifiers, the team faced a decisive playoff in Monterrey, Mexico. Due to the Middle East conflict and closed airspace, staff and players endured challenging travel.
René Meulensteen, assistant to Iraq’s coach Graham Arnold, explained:
“They had to travel from different cities to Baghdad by car or bus. Some of those journeys took up to eight hours. Then, from Baghdad they travelled roughly 15 hours on bumpy roads to Amman, in Jordan, where occasional flights were still operating. The other Asian-based players made their own way to Amman, so they could all travel together.”
FIFA arranged a private charter, but the squad faced a nine-hour delay, followed by an eight-hour flight to Lisbon, a two-hour stopover, and a 12-hour journey to Mexico.
Read Arthur Renard’s full interview with Meulensteen, Sir Alex Ferguson’s former assistant:
Environmental Impact of 2026 World Cup
Recent research indicates the 2026 World Cup will have a climate impact more than twice that of Qatar 2022. The expanded tournament with 48 teams and venues across North America is expected to generate 7.8 million metric tonnes of CO2, equivalent to the annual emissions of 1.7 million cars or the yearly emissions of Sierra Leone.
Most emissions (87%) will come from travel, primarily flights, as millions of fans traverse the 2,800-mile spread from Vancouver to Miami. This makes it more carbon-intensive than the compact Qatar event, which produced approximately 3.8 million tonnes of greenhouse gases.
England Women Face Ukraine in Friendly
Tonight features competitive action with England’s women seeking to recover from a heavy defeat by Spain last Friday. They will host Ukraine at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Lauren Hemp remains optimistic.
Football Regulator Engages with West Ham Over Sullivan Allegations
Separately, the Independent Football Regulator (IFR) is in contact with West Ham following allegations against co-owner David Sullivan regarding pressure on aspiring models for sex.
The IFR confirmed it is seeking information about Sullivan’s suitability as a co-owner under the owners, directors, and senior executives regime. Sullivan denies the allegations.
An IFR spokesperson stated:
“These are extremely serious allegations. We are in contact with West Ham on this matter and will use our statutory powers to seek urgent information from David Sullivan relating to his suitability under our owners, directors and senior executives regime. We are unable to comment further at this stage.”
The allegations date back to the 1980s and 1990s when Sullivan owned the Daily Sport and Sunday Sport tabloids. The Times reported a two-year investigation involving interviews with numerous former models and industry sources.
Somalia Responds to Omar Artan’s Denial of Entry
Following US authorities’ refusal to admit referee Omar Artan at Miami International Airport despite a valid visa, Somalia’s government expressed sadness and noted unsuccessful negotiations with the US and FIFA to resolve the issue.
Artan, named CAF’s best referee in 2025, stated:
“I would like to thank FIFA and CAF (Confederation of African Football) for all their support and I promise to keep my refereeing levels up as I concentrate on the future.”
Somalia’s sports ministry said:
“His international achievements are a source of honour and pride for the Somali people.”
Platini Files Criminal Complaint Against Infantino
In football governance news, Michel Platini has filed a criminal complaint against FIFA president Gianni Infantino just days before the World Cup begins.
Platini, former UEFA president and renowned footballer of the 1970s and 1980s, was a favorite to succeed Sepp Blatter as FIFA president in 2016 until an ethics investigation into a payment he received from Blatter in 2011.
Platini was banned for eight years by FIFA’s ethics committee in 2015, later reduced to four years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Both Platini and Blatter faced criminal proceedings regarding the payment but were acquitted by the Swiss federal criminal court in 2022 and the appeals court in 2025.
Platini has now initiated criminal and civil proceedings in French courts, naming Infantino among the defendants.
His lawyer Olivier Baratelli confirmed the criminal complaint alleges Infantino and others
“worked to exclude [Platini] from the race for the presidency of FIFA,”with Infantino allegedly being the primary actor.
FIFA has been contacted for comment.
Platini maintains the two million Swiss francs (£1.9m) payment from Blatter was back pay for advisory work between 1998 and 2002.
Iran Claims Ticket Allocation Withdrawn
Iran’s football federation (FFIRI) announced that their ticket allocation for the World Cup has been withdrawn, leaving supporters who had planned to attend unable to do so, reports.
The FFIRI stated:
“This is despite the fact that many Iranian football fans, relying on the officially announced process, had already made the necessary plans to attend the matches.”
They added:
“With less than three days remaining until the start of the 2026 World Cup... the United States has once again acted to obstruct the presence of Iranian supporters at the stadiums hosting the national team’s three group stage matches.”
The federation described the move as
“contrary to the spirit governing international competitions and the principle of equality among participating countries.”
More on Iran’s challenging buildup is available.
Reactions to Omar Artan’s Denial of Entry
Krishna Moorthy commented:
“Uncertainty over Iran. Now a top referee from Africa is sent back from Miami. Bankruptcy ensured ticket prices. To rephrase a famous quote. It is not the schedule that killed the game, it is the greed!”
He further suggested:
“The English or Scottish FA or EFL/SPFL should invite the banned Somali referee Omar Artan to referee a marquee game - something like the Community Shield. We need to show tangible support.”
Concerns have been raised about FIFA’s response, which stated:
“FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications … in line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country.”
Critics highlight this as an abdication of responsibility.
Additional Reading and Interviews
Ben Fisher interviews Edin Dzeko, who continues to perform at 40 as Bosnia and Herzegovina’s spearhead.
Ewan Murray reports from Charlotte on Scotland’s dispute with Norway after a canceled training match due to injury concerns.
Djed Spence discusses his recovery from jaw injuries, seizing his England opportunity, and interactions with Arsenal players.
Expert network guides cover Jordan and Portugal.
Donald McRae interviews Kelly Cates, who will present from the BBC’s Salford studio during the tournament, emphasizing the importance of fans to the World Cup experience:
“You don’t get the full World Cup experience unless the fans are there, unless you have fans being able to travel in the first place. Not everybody’s going to be able to, either financially or logistically or because of travel bans. So that’s another issue and I think they’re missing out on what makes a World Cup special. They’re hoping they will be able to put razzmatazz around it and bring the American showbiz factor that’s going to make up for [the missing fans]. But it won’t feel like a traditional World Cup.”
Brazil’s Neymar Recovering from Injury
With two days remaining before the World Cup, Neymar is reported to be
“recovering well”from a calf injury that threatened his participation in Brazil’s opener against Morocco.
The Brazilian Football Confederation stated Neymar underwent an MRI on Monday showing good progress. He continues his recovery and fitness program as planned but did not train with teammates, opting for gym work instead.
Michael Olise’s Hat-Trick Highlights France’s Win Over Northern Ireland
In recent friendly matches, Michael Olise impressed with a hat-trick in France’s 3-1 victory over Northern Ireland in Lille. Coach Didier Deschamps praised Olise’s season and confidence, noting his effort and ability.
Northern Ireland’s consolation goal was scored by Patrick Kelly, marking his first international goal.
Spain Defeats Peru 3-1 in Puebla
Spain delivered a strong performance against Peru in Puebla, scoring three goals. Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring with a powerful shot, followed by Pedri’s tap-in and a goal resulting from Yéremy Pino’s assist. Peru’s Jairo Velez scored a late goal.
