However, FIFA confirmed that Artan would miss the tournament after U.S. authorities denied him entry upon arrival at Miami International Airport and subsequently returned him to Istanbul, Turkey.
Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has criticised the United States government's reported decision to bar certain officials from entering the country ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, describing the move as "backward" and damaging to international relations.
In a post on X on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, Clinton, who is also a former U.S. first lady, argued that the country, as a host nation for the global football tournament, should not be preventing officials from carrying out their responsibilities.
"As a World Cup host, the U.S. shouldn't be flippantly barring officials from entering the country to do their jobs,” Clinton wrote.
"It's terribly backward. It's also counterproductive. Global sports competitions should improve international exchange and relations, not the reverse," she added.
