US Bars Somali Referee From 2026 World Cup
CBP said he was found inadmissible after additional screening, and FIFA removed him from its World Cup roster.
- On June 8, 2026, Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry into the United States upon arriving for the FIFA World Cup. Authorities refused admission and sent him back to Turkey.
- Somalia is one of several nations on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump. Despite Artan carrying a diplomatic passport issued in Nairobi, officials barred him at Miami International Airport.
- Artan is among the 52 referees selected by FIFA for the tournament after being named the 2025 CAF men's referee of the year. He has officiated at the African Cup of Nations and CAF Champions League.
- Senior advisor to Somalia's Ministry of Youth and Sports Ciise Aden Abshir criticized the move, saying "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." Artan remains in Istanbul.
- Visa controversies have impacted other World Cup participants, with the U.S. State Department denying entry to some Iranian support staff. Officials cited concerns about attempts to "abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the United States.
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The president of the World Football Association cannot even protect his referees. His promise to present the "most inclusive" World Cup makes Trump's authorities impossible even before the tournament began. That was obvious to everyone.
The collegiate was rejected at Miami International Airport for a problem with the vetting process. Somalia is one of the countries whose citizens are subject to a total ban on travel to the United States
WC Referee From Somalia Who Was Denied Entry To US Was About To Make History
The World Cup referee from Somalia who was denied entry to the United States after arriving in Miami and subsequently dropped from the tournament by FIFA was set to make history for his country.
The Somali government classified the decision that prevented Arbitrator Omar Abdulkadir Artan from entering the United States and, as a result, participated in the 2026 World Cup. The case provoked a reaction from the authorities of the African country, which are now seeking clarification from the American government and Fifa. Artan, 34 years old, would make history by becoming the first Somali Arbitrator to act in a World Cup. His call for the …
Why Was A Somali Referee Denied Entry To The US For The World Cup
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will not participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being denied entry into the United States, according to FIFA and U.S. authorities. ✈️Reported by CNN, Artan arrived in Miami from Istanbul and underwent additional screening before being ruled inadmissible due to unspecified "vetting concerns."U.S. Customs and Border Protection did not disclose the specific reasons for the decision. However, Somalia is amo…
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