Daijiworld Media Network – Miami
Miami, Jun 9: Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will not officiate at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after being denied entry into the United States despite being selected among the tournament's match officials.
Artan arrived at Miami International Airport on Saturday on a flight from Istanbul and was set to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a FIFA World Cup match.
However, according to reports, officials from US Customs and Border Protection subjected him to additional screening and subsequently deemed him inadmissible due to unspecified vetting concerns. He was then placed on a return flight to Istanbul.
FIFA confirmed on Monday that Artan would be unable to participate in training or officiate during the tournament.
A FIFA spokesperson said the organisation does not participate in host-country immigration processes and that visa approvals and admission decisions ultimately rest with national authorities.
A senior adviser to Somalia's Ministry of Youth and Sports said Artan had travelled with valid documentation. A Somali embassy official also confirmed that he had been issued a diplomatic passport to facilitate international travel following previous visa-related difficulties.
The incident has drawn attention because Somalia is among the countries affected by immigration restrictions imposed by US President Donald Trump. While exemptions reportedly exist for World Cup athletes and support staff, those exemptions did not apply in Artan's case.
Artan is one of Africa's most highly regarded match officials and was named Africa's Referee of the Year by the Confederation of African Football in 2025. He has previously officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations.
In an earlier interview, Artan spoke about the challenges of pursuing a refereeing career in Somalia, revealing that he had often altered his route to local stadiums because of security threats and explosions.
Following the decision, Artan issued a statement saying he remained positive despite the setback and would focus on future opportunities in his refereeing career. He also thanked members of the football community for their support and wished fellow officials success during the World Cup.
Reacting to the development, Ciise Aden Abshir said preventing Artan from entering the United States and officiating at scheduled matches was not only a personal setback but also contrary to football's principles of fairness, merit and sportsmanship.
The incident is the latest controversy surrounding US immigration policies in relation to major sporting events. Reports have previously highlighted delays in visa approvals for Iranian athletes participating in international competitions, while concerns have also been raised about immigration enforcement measures during the World Cup.
Artan's exclusion has sparked disappointment among football officials and supporters, who had hoped to see the Somali referee make history on football's biggest stage