Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will miss the FIFA World Cup after being denied entry into the United States despite holding a valid visa….reports Africa Daily News Desk
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will miss the FIFA World Cup after being denied entry into the United States, despite being selected among the officials appointed to oversee matches at the tournament, according to FIFA and Somali officials.
Artan was one of 52 referees chosen by FIFA to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. His appointment had marked a historic milestone, as he was set to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a FIFA World Cup match.
According to Somali sports officials, Artan arrived at Miami International Airport on a flight from Istanbul on Saturday but was refused entry following an immigration inspection. He was subsequently required to return to Istanbul, where he had been based.
Cisse Aden Abshir, an adviser to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports, criticised the decision, describing Artan as one of Africa’s most respected match officials.
“Omar Artan is among Africa’s most respected referees and deserves the support of the entire football community,” Abshir said.
“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,” he added.
Artan became a FIFA accredited referee in 2018 and has officiated at several major continental tournaments, including the Africa Cup of Nations. He is also an official in Somalia’s national football league.
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirmed that Artan had been denied entry after an inspection but did not provide specific details regarding the decision.
In a statement, CBP said the traveller was found to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns.
“All travellers seeking entry into the United States, including athletes, coaches, and staff, are subject to CBP inspection and vetting,” the agency said, adding that admissibility decisions are made on a case by case basis using available immigration, law enforcement and national security information.
FIFA later confirmed that Artan would be unable to participate in the tournament.
“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,” the governing body said in a statement.
FIFA added that it is not involved in host country immigration processes and that visa and entry decisions ultimately rest with national authorities.
The incident has drawn attention because Artan reportedly held a valid visa and was due to play a historic role at the tournament as Somalia’s first World Cup referee.
