Omar Artan looks on during the AFCON Group F match between Gabon and Ivory Coast at Marrakech stadium, Marrakech, Morocco on December 31, 2025. (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto) (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP)
Somali referee Omar Artan has expressed disappointment after being denied entry into the United States, a decision that ended his hopes of becoming the first Somali official to referee at a FIFA World Cup finals.
Artan was removed from FIFA’s list of match officials for the 2026 World Cup after he was stopped by immigration authorities at Miami International Airport and later repatriated to Turkey.
Speaking to The New York Times on Tuesday, Artan said he could not understand why he was refused entry despite carrying valid travel documents.
“I am very, very disappointed. I’m just simply a referee who’s trying to live his dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup,” Artan said.
