Lionel Messi made a notable return from injury, scoring a goal as Argentina triumphed over Iceland with a 3-0 victory in their final warm-up match ahead of the World Cup. However, the lead-up to the tournament has been marred by controversy surrounding Somali referee Omar Artan and protests in Mexico City.

Messi's Comeback Performance

In Auburn, Alabama, Messi, 38, came off the bench with 20 minutes left in front of a crowd of 88,000. He had been sidelined due to a hamstring injury sustained while playing for Inter Miami in late May. Shortly after entering the match, Messi assisted Lautaro Martinez, who was fouled in the penalty area. The Argentina captain successfully converted the resulting penalty, contributing to a solid win for the defending champions. Argentina, who claimed their third World Cup title in Qatar four years ago, will kick off their campaign against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City.

Controversies Surrounding the Tournament

The upcoming World Cup, set to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is facing several challenges prior to its start on Thursday. Issues include the barring of certain fans and officials from entry, high ticket prices, and a controversial decision by FIFA to initially prohibit supporters from bringing refillable water bottles into stadiums.

In a separate incident, Somali referee Omar Artan expressed his disappointment after being denied entry to the United States, which dashed his hopes of officiating at the tournament. After being questioned for 11 hours at Miami International Airport and subsequently detained, Artan was deported back to Turkiye. Despite having valid documentation, he was informed by a US State Department official that he was linked to suspected members of terrorist organizations, rendering him ineligible for admission. Artan, who was recognized as the Confederation of African Football's men's referee of the year in 2025, remains determined to pursue his ambitions despite this setback.