Somali referee Omar Artan denied entry to the United States
Somali referee Omar Artan has been denied entry into the United States and dropped from the list of officials for the upcoming World Cup, reports BritPanorama.
Artan, named the 2025 Confederation of African Football (CAF) men’s referee of the year, was barred from entry at Miami International Airport and is currently in Turkey. His visa denial is linked to a travel ban on Somalia established during Donald Trump’s administration.
FIFA confirmed that Artan will miss the tournament following discussions with US authorities. A statement from FIFA clarified that while they support their officials, they are not involved in the visa adjudication process. “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 statement read.
Despite the setback, Artan remains positive about his future in officiating. “I would like to thank FIFA and CAF for all their support and I promise to keep my refereeing levels up as I concentrate on the future,” he stated, expressing gratitude for the support from the football community.
The Somali Football Federation is seeking clarity on the issue from FIFA. Artan was one of 52 referees selected by FIFA to officiate during the World Cup, having been a FIFA-listed referee since 2018.
The impact of US travel restrictions extends beyond Artan. The Iranian national team has also faced similar barriers, with their plans to set up camp in the United States disrupted. Instead, they will be based in Mexico, as confirmed by the Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who noted that the US preferred Iran not stay overnight in the country.
As the world gears up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, this incident serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between sport and international politics. With officiating duties increasingly scrutinised, how these decisions unfold could shape not just the tournament’s atmosphere but the broader relationship between football and diplomatic relations.
