Amin Elhassan

The American World Cup.

I want to talk about the Somali rep for a second.

Because I know most of the people listening like to think of international travel going something like this.

You book your flight.

You show up to the airport on the day of the flight.

You land at your destination.

You go through some sort of passport control and they stamp your passport.

And you go about your merry way.

That's international travel.

I just need to have my passport, right?

That process is not the same for Omar Artan.

the Somali referee.

He would have to have applied for a U.S.

visa months ago.

That means turning in his passport and supporting documents, including financial statements and an affidavit from his employer, FIFA, stating his purpose for visiting, where he'll be staying during his visit, how he will support himself during his visit, and when he's getting the out of the country.

That means FIFA will have booked all his flights, his hotel rooms, and provided proof of compensation.

months before he actually steps foot in the United States.

Months before he steps foot on that flight to the United States.

They won't even let him get on the plane without that visa in his passport.

The embassy or consulate at which he applied will have thoroughly reviewed all those documents and done any necessary background checks.