Scroll through the fetid swamps of social media right now, and you are sure to encounter those who are screeching about how the USA has ruined the World Cup. The global soccer tournament kicks off tomorrow, but already the shrieks about how this country was the wrong choice for the tourney, and especially how President Trump is personally ruining the experience, have been growing.

The select examples have been the most intriguing. A referee from Somalia has been denied entry into this country due to having improper entry documents, as well as the state department finding he has connections to terror groups. He was returned to his home country, where he was treated as a hero and awarded a large cash settlement from a local tycoon. Contrast that with the U.S., where referees and umpires are regarded as disreputable members of society.

BREAKING: The Somali FIFA World Cup referee who was denied entry into the U.S. by CBP was flagged with “derogatory” information, including “association with suspected members of terror organizations”, making him inadmissible for entry into the U.S., a Trump admin official tells…— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) June 10, 2026

BREAKING: The Somali FIFA World Cup referee who was denied entry into the U.S. by CBP was flagged with “derogatory” information, including “association with suspected members of terror organizations”, making him inadmissible for entry into the U.S., a Trump admin official tells…

In another case, there was a team from Senegal recorded being frisked and inspected on the tarmac at an airport. The peals........

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