Somali World Cup Referee Denied US Entry Ahead of Tournament
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is being hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, has already attracted attention over a number of logistical and administrative issues. Among the concerns raised have been changing US immigration policies and strict tournament regulations that have contributed to lengthy interruptions of matches because of weather warnings and other operational challenges.
The latest dispute surfaced on Monday when Artan was reportedly refused entry upon arrival at Miami International Airport despite possessing a valid US visa. According to reports, he was subsequently required to return to Istanbul, Türkiye, where he has been living and working.
“Omar Artan is among Africa’s most respected referees and deserves the support of the entire football community,” Abshir told AFP. “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.
The information was confirmed by a senior adviser to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports, who stated that the referee had been unable to proceed with his planned duties.
FIFA later acknowledged that Artan would not be able to officiate at the tournament following the immigration decision.
“FIFA is not involved in host-country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by the authorities that Mr. Artan’s status will not be changed at this time,” a spokesperson for world football’s governing body told AFP.
No official explanation was immediately provided regarding the refusal of entry. Artan had made history by becoming the first Somali national selected to officiate at a World Cup finals event.
According to reports, the decision may be connected to broader US immigration restrictions affecting Somali nationals. Observers have pointed to policies introduced under the Trump administration that imposed extensive limits on immigration and visa processing for citizens of Somalia.
Reports also noted that Washington took additional measures affecting Somali nationals earlier this year, including steps to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for individuals originating from the country.
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