Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan has been dropped from officiating at the World Cup after being barred from entering the United States. Speaking with FRANCE 24's Mark Owen, Alexander Cooley, Claire Tow Professor of Political Science at Barnard College, explains that "we're seeing the Trump's administration adherence to hard-line immigration laws clash against the reality of what you need to stage a truly global event".

Traditionally, international sports competitions are seen as a way of overlooking division and differences, and disregarding geopolitics tension - which is the reason why North Korea competes in the Olympics for example. But this year's World Cup is proving an exception. Residents of countries placed on a US travel restriction list are finding their attendance at the World Cup is not garanteed. FRANCE 24's Kethevane Gorjestani explains.

A Somali referee has been prevented from officiating at the World Cup after he was refused entry into the US. This comes as many fans having bought tickets for the competitions have also seen their visa demands refused, and Iran's football federation claims its ticket allocation was withdrawn days before kickoff. FRANCE 24's Angela Diffley looks at the impact of the US's travel restrictions and war in Iran on the competition.

Turning to Bolivia now, where conservative President Rodrigo Paz has moved closer to enacting a state of emergency that would allow the military to intervene in demonstrations. For weeks, protesters have constructed roadblocks and taken to the streets demanding the government to tackle Bolivia's worst economic crisis in decades. Some are urging Paz to step down. The unrest has driven up food and fuel prices, and resulted in a lack of basic goods.

Donald Trump was the first sitting US president to attend the NBA Finals on June 8 in New York City. But the leader was booed by crowds in the heavily democratic city every time he was shown on screen. Attendees also had to wait in hour-long lines due to the heavy security system put in place for Trump's attendance.

The World Cup hasn't started yet, but there are already many disappointed fans. More than a quarter of the countries taking part in the tournament are facing travel restrictions of varying degrees to the US, meaning many people who already have tickets are having their visas refused. The restrictions are also affecting those taking part in the tournament, like a Somali referee whose visa was just refused by US customs officials.

US President Donald Trump was booed Monday as he appeared at Madison Square Garden in New York for game three of the NBA Finals between the Knicks and the Spurs.

Alison Sargent is pleased to welcome Tiziano Breda, Senior Analyst for Latin America and the Caribbean at ACLED. He argues that Peru's chronic instability is rooted as much in institutional weaknesses as in electoral competition. The reintroduction of a bicameral legislature, he notes, may help curb the cycle in which Congress has repeatedly "deposed presidents and reinstated new ones," but neither candidate is likely to enjoy the parliamentary support necessary to govern decisively. Peru's presidential election is unfolding against a backdrop of deep political fragmentation, rising insecurity, and growing public distrust in democratic institutions. 

As preparations for the 2026 World Cup heat up, a massive hiring boom is sweeping across the US service industry. But local businesses are growing increasingly worried that skyrocketing costs and FIFA price hikes could ruin what was expected to be a historic economic celebration.

Tension between the United States and Iran is continuing in sport. Iran's World Cup squad landed in Mexico on June 7 under the shadow of a bitter diplomatic dispute. With some members of the entourage still lacking U.S. visas. The dispute comes just days before the kickoff of the 2026 World Cup on June 11, which is being jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The presidential election in Peru to determine the 9th head of state in a decade is too close to call. Right-wing candidate, Keiko Fujimori ran on promises to be tough on crime and is the daughter of the late, former president and authoritarian figure Alberto Fujimori who was convicted of human rights abuses. Left-wing candidate Roberto Sanchez, an ally of jailed former president Pedro Castillo, has vowed to address the socioeconomic divide between those living in cities and rural areas. The winner will likely be declared in some days after a full count is completed.

Iran's World Cup squad is expected to arrive in Mexico early Sunday under the shadow of a bitter diplomatic row between Tehran and Washington, after the United States refused to issue visas for some team support staff.

Police clashed with anti-government protesters Saturday in eastern Bolivia, with gunfire reportedly wounding four officers, as authorities attempted to clear a road blocked by rural workers demanding President Rodrigo Paz's resignation. A month of heated demonstrations calling for the center-right Paz to step down have paralyzed the Andean nation, with about 100 protest blockades around Bolivia causing severe food and medicine shortages in major cities.

Peruvians will choose on Sunday their ninth president in 10 years, in a tight runoff election between conservative Keiko Fujimori and leftist Roberto Sanchez who are trying to woo voters fed up with political chaos and rising crime. Fujimori, daughter of former autocratic president Alberto Fujimori, is making her fourth bid for the presidency.

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to kick off across the North American continent, hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, Oliver Farry is pleased to welcome Thando Sibiya, Sports Presenter and Journalist. While the tournament was initially met with great fanfare: an expanded 48-country tournament hosted by three countries, Sibiya warns that the "deplorable issues" and multiple controversies risk "killing the ambiance" and keeping football fans and country supporters away. From exorbitant ticket prices to Donald Trump's hard-line immigration policies, many fans will now be forced to follow their team from their home country. This could very well be 'one of the least anticipated World Cups of this era', laments Sibiya.

⚽ Cabo Verde, #Brazil, South Africa... National teams are beginning to arrive in North America ahead of the 2026 football #WorldCup, due to start on June 11.

Mexican authorities have discovered an illegal tunnel that is 600 metres long on the US border with Mexico. It links Tijuana with the city of San Diego. Its purpose? Possibly the illegal smuggling of drugs. The discovery was the result of a six-month long investigation.

The NBA finals start on June 4 and the San Antonio Spurs, with its star player, Victor Wembanyama, are favoured to take the title. But as the 22-year-old Frenchman told reporters, it's not a done deal yet against the Knicks - who haven't won since 1973 but won 11 consecutive games in the playoffs this year.

US primaries are taking place in six states. The voting will shape the landscape of the midterms in November, as it decides who is going to be on the ballot. Key races to look out for include California, where whoever wins the race for Los Angeles mayor will lead the city during the Olympic Games.

US primaries are taking place in six states. The voting will shape the landscape of the midterms in November, as it decides who is going to be on the ballot. Key races to look out for include California, where candidates will be looking to replace term-limited Gavin Newsom. FRANCE 24's Wassim Cornet, in Los Angeles, and Philip Turle tell us more.