Somali Referee Omar Artan Denied Entry to United States Ahead of 2026 World Cup

Somali referee Omar Artan, who was poised to become the first official from Somalia to referee at the FIFA World Cup finals, has been denied entry into the United States.

Artan, who was named the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025, was reportedly stopped by immigration authorities upon arrival at Miami International Airport. He has since traveled to Turkey after being denied admission.

United States immigration officials have not publicly provided a reason for the decision. However, the development comes amid travel restrictions affecting several countries, including Somalia, under policies introduced by the administration of Donald Trump.

Artan had been selected by FIFA as one of 52 match officials chosen to oversee games at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 12 to July 19.

A respected figure in Somali football, Artan has served as an official in the country’s national league and earned FIFA referee status in 2018. Over the years, he has built a strong reputation on the continent, officiating matches at the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations and other major competitions.

The incident has raised questions about the impact of travel restrictions on international sporting events, particularly as the United States prepares to host the world’s biggest football tournament alongside its North American partners. FIFA has yet to comment publicly on how Artan’s exclusion could affect its officiating plans for the competition.