World Cup 2026 Kickoff: The 48-team tournament begins this week across the US, Canada and Mexico, but the build-up is already overshadowed by soaring ticket concerns and major political friction. US Entry Backlash: Immigration and visa hurdles are hitting match officials, players, journalists and fans—most notably Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, denied entry despite being selected by FIFA—sparking protests from rights groups and public figures. Official Pushback: The White House says restrictions are security-driven, while FIFA insists it doesn’t control visa decisions. Uzbekistan Angle at the Border: Reports say Uzbekistan’s national team faced heavy screening on arrival in New York ahead of a friendly with the Netherlands, with claims that scrutiny differed for other teams. Uzbekistan Governance: Uzbekistan plans an automated income-and-asset declaration system for judges and court staff, creating a compliance unit under the Supreme Court to curb conflicts of interest and corruption. Culture & Sport Beyond Football: Uzbekistan also appears in global sports coverage, from chess rankings (Bibisara Assaubayeva leads; Uzbek players stay in the mix) to a major international chess festival in Mumbai featuring Uzbek participants.