The World Cup gets underway

0:00Millions of people in the U.S. get their flu shot each year. But a new scientific innovation could turn that routine into a one-shot stop. A universal flu vaccine, which would... Protect not only against seasonal influenza, but also will prevent pandemic influenza. Learn about the revolution in fighting the flu on Shortwave. Listen in the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts. Today on State of the World, the World Cup gets underway.

0:33You're listening to State of the World from NPR. We bring you the day's most vital international stories up close where they're happening. It's Thursday, June 11th. I'm Greg Dixon. For soccer fans, the wait is over. The 2026 World Cup has begun. There are 48 teams who will play 104 matches. This year, the event will happen across three countries, Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. Politics has crept into the cup, with the U.S. turning away some fans and even a referee. In a few minutes, we'll hear about that Somali referee's welcome home. But first, we're going to the most soccer-obsessed of the three countries.

1:16The kickoff game was in Mexico. Enrique Barrera had tears in his eyes as he entered Mexico City's main square.

1:27It's an inexplicable feeling. It's a marvel. A marvel. NPR's Eder Peralta was at Mexico City's main fan zone, in the historic Zocalo, as the cup got underway. He spoke to Mary Louise Kelly. Hey, Mary Louise. Hi. I want to ask you about the mood, but I think I can hear. Where are you? Like right outside the stadium? Now we're in the Socalo, the main square of this city, and the game just finished. Mexico won 2-0, and what you're hearing is elation. And, you know, the morning actually didn't start great here. There were protesters all over the city, and the city was paralyzed. It was super hard for fans to get to the stadium.

2:10It was hard for them to get here, to the Socalo. But football always finds a way, and as Mexicans like to say, Nothing in Mexico is impossible and they made it to the stadium and I'm surrounded right now by thousands of fans. It's pandemonium, it's euphoria. This is a holy day for Mexicans and football fans across the world. And Mexico City is one of the sport's greatest sanctuaries. So, as you heard earlier from Enrique Barrero, it's a feeling that's hard to explain. But the tears and the songs and the shouts tell you everything you need to know. Big picture. I can hear the excitement all around you as this tournament kicks off.

2:52Is the bigger story here one of unity through sport, or is politics poking through in the way that it often does? I think it's poking through in a huge way. I mean, locally here, there's been big protests. But this is also the first time a host country is welcoming a country that it is fighting a war against. The U.S. will welcome Iran the next week in Los Angeles. But they've said that Iran cannot stay in the United States, so they've moved their training camp south of the border to Tijuana. I was just there, and the team is holed up in a Marriott hotel. A superman who's staying with the team said they're trying not to pay attention to the politics of the war between the U.S., Israel, and Iran, but that it's been hard.

3:36He said they were worried about what will happen when the national team tries to get into the United States. You know, they're thinking, will they be allowed in or held up for hours? It's worth noting that others have had problems as well. A Somali referee was denied entry, and an Iraqi player was held by immigration for hours, and one of their team photographers was denied entry as well. FIFA president Gianni Infantino was pressed on this yesterday, and he told reporters to chill. He said they're working on it. It's so interesting because, as you know, this whole World Cup was originally billed as a showcase of North American unity.

4:11Canada, Mexico, the U.S., they were going to do it all together in perfect sync. Is it going to achieve that? What's your sense? Well, you know, all three countries are hosting games. The games in the U.S. and Canada begin tomorrow. And as you know, soccer has a way of making politics melt away as soon as the tournament gets going. But look, the North American alliance seemed unshakable just a couple of years ago. And now this tournament is taking place at a time when the countries are making pronouncements on sovereignty and President Trump is threatening to annex Canada and strike Mexico militarily.

4:46And he's also threatening to back out of trade agreements with both, the same trade agreement synonymous with North American unity. Okay, enough on the trade. Let's go to the really important stuff, Ader, the soccer. What are fans where you are most excited about? Who are they talking about as potential winners? Potential winners are who you would expect. France, Spain, Portugal, Brazil, England, and the reigning champion, Argentina. But let's talk about Mexico since I'm here. This is a team that has always disappointed despite having one of the most faithful following in the world. But today, it's all faith.

5:19It's all hope. Everyone is all in on this tournament, and they're hoping for a miracle. All right. NPR's Adar Peralta, you're hearing him reporting live from Mexico City's main square, the Zocalo, where they're hoping for a miracle. Thank you, Adar. As we just heard from Eder, a Somali referee who is scheduled to work the World Cup was denied entry into the U.S. Omar Artan is Africa's top referee and would have been the first person from Somalia to officiate a World Cup match. As NPR's Africa correspondent Emmanuel Akinwotu tells us, his return was a big event in Somalia's capital Mogadishu. A hero's return home to Somalia.

6:04Days after being denied entry to the US, Omar Atan was met with flowers at the airport by government officials. Dozens of fans draped him in the sky blue Somali flag. He was welcomed by thousands who gathered at the Mogadishu Stadium in the capital, not to watch a soccer game, but to celebrate a referee. They chaired his name as he was hoisted on shoulders like a champion. Only days ago, he was turned away by US border officials, despite holding a diplomatic passport and valid visa, sparking widespread outrage. But his disappointment has turned into a show of pride in Somalia, a country that has been repeatedly disparaged by President Trump.

6:49We should strive for our country and defend it. We should never be disappointed, Artan told local media, I love my country and I encourage young people to continue pursuing their goals, he said. The decision to deny him entry was defended by Andrew Giuliani, the head of the White House World Cup Task Force. What I can tell you is that anybody who's communicating with bad actors that plan harm against the United States of America are not going to be admitted entrants. A Trump administration official speaking on condition of anonymity accused Artan of associating with, quote, suspected members of terror organisations.

7:27NPR has requested a response from Artan regarding the allegations, but has been unable to reach him. In Somalia, the US has been a key security partner in combating the al-Qaeda-linked militant group Al-Shabaab. But the US accusations have caused anger in Somalia. Many Somalians feel that he has been unfairly treated. Ilham Gasset is a member of parliament in the East African country. If these were genuine and credible concerns that an individual had links to terrorist organisations. Many Somalis are asking why those concerns were not identified during the visa process. Last year, Somalia was one of several African countries to face heavy travel restrictions to the US.

8:06And in April, President Trump said Somalia was, quote, probably the worst and most dangerous country.

8:17But Atan's setback has become a celebration of Africa's best soccer referee Hailed at home after being denied the chance to fulfill his World Cup dream At least this time Emmanuel Akiwoto, NPR News, Lagos

8:36That's the State of the World from NPR Thanks for listening The world is a lot, but hearing the right song at the right time can make it all better. This week in the NPR Music Podcast, listeners tell us about the songs that help them hit reset. Songs that lift them up, change their outlook, or even give their whole life a new direction. Listen on all songs considered in the NPR Music Podcast.