Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, scheduled to officiate at the FIFA World Cup, was denied entry to the United States, as confirmed by an official from Somalia’s sports ministry. Artan, part of the 52 referees selected by Fifa for the World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S., was poised to be the first Somali referee at the tournament. Becoming a Fifa referee in 2018, Artan has previously officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
Artan, who reportedly possessed a valid entry visa, was refused entry by U.S. immigration officials at Miami International Airport, forcing him to return to Istanbul where he was staying, according to Cisse Aden Abshir, an advisor to the Somali Ministry of Youth and Sports. Expressing disappointment, Abshir emphasized Artan’s stature as one of Africa’s esteemed referees and called for solidarity from the football community.
Upon his arrival at Miami International Airport from Istanbul, Artan was barred from entering the U.S. following a routine inspection. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) cited “vetting concerns” for his inadmissibility, without specifying further details. Somalia’s inclusion in a travel ban list by the Trump administration might have contributed to the denial of entry. FIFA later confirmed Artan’s exclusion from the tournament, stating that he will not be able to participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
