Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow announced that a Somali judge denied entry to the United States over alleged ties to the terror group Al-Shabaab is welcome in her city. The White House had defended the visa denial earlier this week, citing individuals' links to terrorist organizations.
The dispute over US visa restrictions for the 2026 World Cup has taken a new turn as Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow publicly invited the Somali judge, reportedly denied entry due to alleged ties to Al-Shabaab, to come to her city. This follows the White House's defense of the visa denial earlier this week, in which officials stated some rejections were linked to terrorist affiliations, as The Zioneer reported on June 10. The initial denial of entry to the judge, Omar Hartan, occurred earlier this week, as reported by the desk on June 9. The invitation from the Canadian mayor introduces a new political dimension to the controversy, though it remains unclear if Hartan will accept or if Canadian authorities will grant him entry.
- DevelopingWhite House defends denying US entry to Somali World Cup referee
- DevelopingUS authorities deny entry to Somali football referee Omar Hartan ahead of World Cup
- DevelopingFIFA president Infantino tells critics to 'chill' over Somali referee's US entry denial
- DevelopingPalestinian football chief Jibril Rajoub denied US, Canada entry for 2026 World Cup
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