Somali Referee Barred from World Cup After US Entry Denial
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been removed from officiating duties at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being denied entry into the United States, FIFA confirmed on Monday. Artan, who arrived at Miami International Airport on Saturday, was refused entry following a routine inspection by United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
FIFA stated that Artan’s exclusion from the tournament was due to the decision of the United States authorities, over which FIFA has no influence. “FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications,” a spokesperson explained. “The host government ultimately determines who is admitted into their country.” According to the CBP, Artan was subjected to additional inspection, which is standard procedure when further verification is required. Ultimately, he was deemed inadmissible due to vetting concerns.
Artan, who would have been the first Somali referee to officiate at a World Cup event, expressed optimism despite the setback. “I am in a positive mood and focused on the next challenges in my refereeing career,” he said. He extended gratitude to the football community for their support and wished his colleagues success in the tournament.
Omar Artan is considered one of Africa’s most respected referees. He has officiated in the Somali national league since becoming a FIFA referee in 2018 and recently refereed at the Africa Cup of Nations. In 2025, he was named Confederation of African Football’s men’s referee of the year. Somalia’s president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, praised him earlier this year for becoming a symbol of inspiration for Somalis and for his professionalism and integrity.
Ciise Aden Abshir, a senior adviser to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports, highlighted the broader implications, stating that denying Artan entry harms not only him personally but also undermines football’s commitment to fairness and merit. Artan returned to Istanbul after being refused entry in Miami. The 2026 World Cup is being co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, with the tournament set to begin this Thursday.