A Somali referee said he was detained, questioned and sent home. And an Iraqi player said he was subjected to intensive questioning at the border.

Federal immigration authorities barred a Somali soccer referee who was slated to officiate the FIFA World Cup from entering the U.S. over the weekend, citing "vetting concerns."

As the World Cup begins later this week, match officials and team members have faced enhanced immigration scrutiny when trying to enter the United States. A FIFA referee from…

How immigration, trade, and conflict are overshadowing soccer.