Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States because of his “association with suspected members of terror organisations”, says a US official.
The 34-year-old – Africa’s referee of the year in 2025 – was set to be the first Somali to referee at a World Cup finals but was denied entryat Miami International Airport on Monday despite holding a diplomatic passport and a single entry US visa.
Somalia is one of 12 several countries on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump.
Artan arrived back in Somalia on Wednesday.
A Trump administration source said: “This individual was seeking admission to the United States. Upon further inspection by CBP (Custom and Border Protection), derogatory information, including association with suspected members of terror organisations, was discovered making the traveller ineligible for admission to the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
