The Somali referee who was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup will still be paid his full tournament fee.
A person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that Omar Artan will still be entitled to payment despite not officiating any games at the near six-week long event. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
They said the fee would be determined after the tournament concludes next month.On Day 4 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Germany and Curacao will kick off Group E action before the Netherlands face Japan in a Group F clash. Ivory Coast will then take on Ecuador in the other Group E fixture, while Sweden and Tunisia will round off the day's action in Group F.
Below, you can find Day 4's football matches in real time.
Germany vs Curacao — 10:30 pm IST
Netherlands vs Japan — 1:30 am IST
Ivory Coast vs Ecuador — 4:30 am IST
Sweden vs Tunisia — 7:30 am IST
Day 3 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup saw Qatar celebrate a landmark moment by earning their maiden World Cup point. Brazil were held to a 1-1 draw by Morocco as the five-time champions endured a shaky start to their campaign, while Scotland marked their return after a 28-year absence with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Haiti. Australia, meanwhile, stunned Turkey 2-0 in their Group D opener.
Four-time winners Germany thrashed World Cup debutants Curacao 7-1 in their first group game on Sunday.
Kai Havertz got two goals and Nico Schlotterbeck, Jamal Musiala, Nathaniel Brown and Deniz Undav also scored in Houston to secure Germany's first opening-match win at a World Cup since their successful 2014 campaign in Brazil, after Livano Comenencia had briefly cancelled out Felix Nmecha's opener.
Germany's relentless attack shows no signs of slowing as Curacao struggle to contain the flood of goals. Kai Havertz scores the goal for Germany to make it 7-1.
Nathaniel makes the score 5-1 as Curacao struggle against the German attack.
Kai Havertz converts from the penalty spot just before half-time.
Germany takes the lead once again as Nico Schlotterbeck scored the goal to make the score 2-1.
Livano Comenencia scores the goal for Curacao to equalise against Germany.
The Somali referee who was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup will still be paid his full tournament fee.
A person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that Omar Artan will still be entitled to payment despite not officiating any games at the near six-week long event. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
They said the fee would be determined after the tournament concludes next month.
Iran's participation in the tournament was shrouded in doubt for months after the United States and Israel launched an aerial assault on the Islamic Republic that became a wider Middle East war.
But on Sunday, the team is due to fly into Los Angeles from its training camp in Mexico on the eve of its first game.
Iran take on New Zealand in the city on Monday, marking the first time that a World Cup host has hosted a country it is at war with.
But the Iran team has had to leave many of its support team in Tijuana after the US refused to grant visas to 15 administrative and management staff.
Curacao made history by becoming one of four first-time World Cup qualifiers.
The tiny Caribbean nation faces a daunting task in its opener, taking on powerhouse Germany in Houston.
“Germany are of course clear favorites in the group,” said Curacao's Dick Advocaat, the oldest coach in World Cup history at 78. “They are still a big footballing country. Starting off against Germany is fantastic. We will find out immediately where we stand.”
Curacao is the World Cup's smallest country in terms of size — about the size of New Orleans — and population, with roughly 156,000 residents. It got into the 48-team bracket by going 4-0 in the opening round of qualifying and 3-0-3 in the next round.
Curacao coach Dick Advocaat believes the tiny Caribbean island can "steal some points" from four-time winners Germany on their tournament debut on Sunday.
The 78-year-old Dutchman will also become the oldest coach in World Cup history and will take charge of a third different nation at a World Cup after the Netherlands and South Korea.
Despite his vast experience in both the club and international game, Advocaat said the team spirit that has carried a nation of just 160,000 to the World Cup is the best he has seen.
"The team spirit in this team is something I've never seen before. As a country we will give everything to win for the island, but we're not the favourite," Advocaat said at his pre-match press conference on Saturday.
"When you are participating with the Netherlands or a bigger team, you are one of the favourites. Now it is just amazing to be a part of this.
"We would like to show them what we can do and what we're worth. And for the island of Curacao, it is amazing what we have shown the people over the past two years."