Show Caption
Somali referee Omar Artan has been denied entry to the United States for the 2026 World Cup, according to a Somali government official and the U.S. government.As a result, FIFA has said that Artan will not be able to referee at the World Cup as planned.Artan was named as a match official for the tournament in April, and had been set to be the first Somali to referee at a World Cup.But according to a spokesperson from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Artan was turned away at the Miami airport because he "was determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns."“On June 6, a Somali national arrived at Miami International Airport from Istanbul International Airport. During processing, the traveler underwent additional inspection, a routine part of CBP's inspection process when officers need to verify information or determine admissibility," the statement said."Following inspection, the traveler, a referee for the FIFA World Cup, was determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns and was denied entry."All travelers seeking entry into the United States, including athletes, coaches, and staff, are subject to CBP inspection and vetting."Admissibility determinations are made on a case-by-case basis using law enforcement, national security, and immigration information available at the time of inspection. CBP officers have the authority to question travelers, conduct inspections, and determine admissibility consistent with U.S. law.”"FIFA can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States," a FIFA spokesperson said."FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan’s status will not be changed at present."In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country."According to Ciise Aden Abshir, a senior advisor to Somalia's ministry of youth and sports, Artan had a valid visa to enter the U.S. but was turned away and has flown back to Istanbul."Denying him entry to the United States and preventing him from officiating scheduled matches harms not only him personally but also undermines football's commitment to fairness, merit, and the spirit of fair play," Abshir told AFP."Omar Artan is among Africa's most respected referees and deserves the support of the entire football community."Somalia is on the list of countries on President Donald Trump's travel ban. FIFA and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security have been contacted for comment.Artan has already made history in his officiating career, becoming the first person from Somalia to take charge of a continental final when he refereed the 2024–25 CAF Champions League final. In 2025, Artat was named men's referee of the year by the Confederation of African Football.This story has been updated
