Lagos, NIGERIA – The FIFA World Cup is more than just a tournament, it’s one of the ways people from different cultures and backgrounds are able to connect through a shared love for the game of football.
This time around, some people haven’t been given an opportunity to participate, simply because of where they come from.
It shouldn’t be so.
Listen to the author read this commentary:
Three nations are hosting the tournament: Mexico, Canada and the United States.
But the stringent immigration laws under the Trump administration that are keeping people from participating in the World Cup are hostile and unfair.
One of those on the receiving end of this policy was Somalian referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was set to become the first Somali referee to officiate at the men’s World Cup.
That won’t be a possibility because despite holding a valid visa and being accredited by FIFA, the world football governing body, Artan was denied entry to the U.S.
While athletes were not very affected because they have special permits, some players were still delayed because of where they came from.
Some team officials and support staff were also denied visas.
Journalists and media workers have also had challenges with getting a visa or entering the country with a visa.
Iraqi photographer Talal Salah was denied entry to the U.S. despite his affiliations to the team and the tournament itself.
Who tells the stories if the media isn’t there?
Supporters from countries that have travel restrictions placed on them by the U.S. government have had their visas delayed or denied.
Why should a border stand in the way of a once-in-a-lifetime event?
The topic of discussion should be the sport being played. Instead, the talk is all about who’s allowed to come and watch and who is segregated.
These recent happenings raise questions about the idea of “football uniting the world,” a slogan used by FIFA.
Football unites people, the World Cup brings people together and it should remain that way.
Dominic Crown is a Junior Reporter with Youth Journalism International. He wrote this commentary.
Samantha Esquivel is a Senior Reporter with Youth Journalism International from Mexico. She took the photo at the top.
