CAF Referee of the Year Omar Artan deported, to miss historic World Cup role
In a major setback just days before the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026, top African match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been denied entry into the United States, ending his hopes of becoming the first Somali referee to officiate at a World Cup finals.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) 2025 Referee of the Year, Omar Abdulkadir Artan, arrived at Miami International Airport on a flight from Istanbul but was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Despite travelling with valid documentation and a diplomatic passport intended to ease entry, he was subjected to additional screening and declared inadmissible due to vetting concerns before being placed on a return flight to Turkey.
FIFA confirmed on Monday that Artan will not take part in the tournament, saying he will be unable to attend training or officiate at the World Cup after being denied entry.
