LOS ANGELES: Lionel Messi scored moments after coming off the bench on Tuesday to dispel any injury doubts and help Argentina win their final warm-up game for a World Cup overshadowed by off-field distractions, as the Somali referee who was refused entry to the United States said his dream was over.

The 38-year-old Messi had not featured for Argentina in the build-up to their title defence after injuring a hamstring playing for Inter Miami in late May.

He came on as a substitute with 20 minutes left to huge acclaim from a capacity 88,000 crowd against Iceland in Auburn, Alabama, and his clever through ball played in Lautaro Martinez, who was fouled in the box.

Messi, who drove Argentina to their third World Cup crown in Qatar four years ago, lashed in the penalty as the reigning champions eased to a 3-0 win.

The World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico starts on Thursday and Argentina’s first match is on June 16, against Algeria in Kansas City.

The biggest-ever World Cup, with a bumper 48 teams, has been dogged in the lead-up by controversies including fans and officials being barred entry, steep ticket prices and a U-turn after FIFA initially banned fans from bringing refillable water bottles into stadiums.

Somali referee Omar Artan said the “biggest dream of my life” had been ripped away after he was turned back at the US border.

“I am very, very disappointed,” Artan told The New York Times from Istanbul, where he returned after being refused entry in Miami. “I’m just simply a referee who’s trying to live his dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup.”

Artan said he was subjected to an 11-hour interview with border officials at Miami International Airport and then taken to a holding cell where he was detained for several further hours before being put on a flight back to Turkiye.

“I had the right papers and everything. I had the right visa,” he added — an assertion confirmed to AFP by a Somali government advisor.

A US State Department official alleged to AFP that the referee was “associated with suspected members of terrorist organisations,” therefore “making the traveler ineligible for admission to the United States.”

Artan, who in 2025 was named men’s referee of the year by the Confederation of African Football, would have been the first Somali to referee at a World Cup.

“I will be at the next World Cup and will continue to make Somalia proud… Despite what has happened to me, I am not discouraged,” Artan told journalists.

Mexico City protests

Concerns were rising that the opening match in Mexico City on Thursday could be disrupted by social unrest.

On Tuesday a protest blocked an avenue leading to the Estadio Azteca, where Mexico will face South Africa in the curtain-raiser.

As international fans flooded into the three tournament co-host countries, Mexico is grappling with chaotic teacher protests in its capital.

Thousands took part in Tuesday’s demonstration following a week of action that President Claudia Sheinbaum has called a “provocation.”

“As if to say, ‘Look at how bad the situation is in Mexico,’” she told a press conference.

A police blockade prevented the demonstrators from reaching the stadium.

Sheinbaum has said that the opening match was “guaranteed,” though the left-leaning leader again ruled out using police to repress the demonstrations.

Her government has favored dialogue with the protesting teachers, but to no avail.

“We’re going to continue our struggle,” said protester Austreberto Flores.

With thousands of officers deployed and concrete barriers set up around the venue, protesters rallied on the street for around three hours before dispersing.

Mexico City’s security chief Pablo Vazquez said in a statement that the movement had been peaceful.

The teachers have called for demonstrations on Thursday that will also include families of so-called “disappeared” people, who are alleged to have been killed or kidnapped by Mexican authorities or criminal gangs.

Messi cameo

Along with Spain, France and England, Argentina are among the favourites to win the title.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni named an experimental starting line-up against Iceland, with Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister joining Messi on the sidelines initially.

Messi is set to feature in his sixth World Cup and allayed fears he may not be ready with a supreme 20-minute cameo.

In France on Tuesday, the Democratic Republic of Congo, whose World Cup preparations have been disrupted by concerns over the Ebola outbreak, lost 2-1 to Chile in the other warm-up match which was played behind closed doors.

The friendly was originally due to be played in a city in southern Spain, but the mayor refused to host the match due to concerns over the virus. It was instead held in Orleans without spectators.

DR Congo play in Group ‘K’ alongside Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan. Games in that section will be staged in the United States and Mexico.

Meanwhile, Iraq concluded their warm-up campaign with a 2-0 defeat against Venezuela. Cristian Casseres and Jesus Ramirez scored a goal each in either side of the half. Iraq finished the match with 10 men after forward Ali Youssef was shown a straight red card in the 72nd minute.

Iraq will begin their Group ‘I’ campaign against Norway on June 17 before facing France and Senegal. Venezuela is not a participant in this year’s tournament in North America.

Elsewhere on Tuesday, Saudi Arabia was held to a goalless draw against 10-man Senegal.

Saudi Arabia begin their World Cup Group H campaign against Uruguay on June 16 before facing Spain and Cape Verde. Senegal, meanwhile, will open their campaign against France.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026