- Kenyan referee Stephen Yiembe denied U.S. visa for FIFA Club World Cup.
- He is one of 117 officials selected for the 2025 expanded edition.
- Yiembe must appeal the decision to avoid missing the tournament.
- The event will take place in the U.S. from June to July.
Kenyan referee Stephen Yiembe is facing a significant hurdle in his bid to officiate at the inaugural 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, set to take place in the United States this summer. Reports indicate that Yiembe’s application for a U.S. visa has been rejected, creating uncertainty about his participation in the prestigious tournament.
An Important Opportunity for Yiembe
Yiembe is one of 117 match officials selected by FIFA for the expanded 2025 edition of the tournament, which promises to be one of the biggest in history. This is a major milestone in his career, as it would be his debut at such a high-profile international event.
Awaiting the Outcome of His Appeal
In order for Yiembe to have any chance of taking part in the competition, he now faces the daunting task of appealing the visa denial. If the appeal is unsuccessful, he could be forced to miss out on what would be a historic moment in his officiating career.
The situation remains fluid as the referee works to resolve this issue ahead of the June-July event. The football world eagerly awaits updates on his appeal, with many hoping the visa issue will be resolved in time for him to make the trip.