Omar Abdulkadir Artan, one of Somalia’s most respected football referees, has been denied entry into the United States despite being selected to officiate matches at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
According to a statement from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Somali official arrived at Miami International Airport from Istanbul on Saturday but was found inadmissible following a security and vetting review. Authorities did not disclose the specific reasons behind the decision.
While officials did not publicly identify the individual, multiple reports confirmed that the referee was Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who had already received a valid visa and was scheduled to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a FIFA World Cup.
FIFA later confirmed that Artan would no longer participate in the tournament due to the immigration decision. The governing body stated that visa approvals and border entry decisions are solely handled by host governments and are outside FIFA’s authority.
FIFA emphasized that it cannot intervene in immigration matters and acknowledged that Artan’s status would not change before the tournament. As a result, the experienced referee will miss a historic opportunity to represent Somalia on football’s biggest stage.
Artan was among the 52 referees selected by FIFA for the World Cup, which is being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Since becoming a FIFA-certified referee in 2018, he has officiated numerous international matches and gained recognition across African football.
His achievements include officiating at the 2023 African Cup of Nations and being named CAF Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025. Many football observers viewed his World Cup selection as a major milestone for Somali football.
The incident has also reignited discussion regarding US immigration policies and their impact on international sporting events. Concerns have previously been raised about travel restrictions affecting participants and visitors from certain countries.
With FIFA unable to overturn the decision, Artan’s World Cup journey has come to an unexpected end, despite earning his place through years of dedication and professional achievement.
