Somali World Cup referee denied entry to US, dropped from tournament
6 verified6 unconfirmed2 contested
Somali referee Omar Artan, who was set to become the first official from his country to work a World Cup finals, has been denied entry to the United States and removed from the tournament roster. Artan was stopped at Miami International Airport while traveling to join other match officials at a FIFA training hub in Florida. Both FIFA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed the denial of entry, though accounts differ on whether a specific reason was given. Artan had received a visa to travel to the U.S. the week prior, according to the Somalia Embassy in Kenya. Somalia is among several countries subject to travel restrictions imposed by the Trump administration. FIFA said it is not involved in host-country immigration decisions and that Artan’s status will not change. The World Cup is scheduled to begin on June 11.
What’s verified
Omar Artan, a Somali referee, was denied entry into the United States at Miami International Airport.
He was subsequently dropped from the 2026 FIFA World Cup officiating roster.
Artan would have been the first referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup.
He held a valid visa for travel to the U.S.
Somalia is among countries subject to U.S. travel restrictions under the Trump administration.
FIFA stated it is not involved in host country immigration processes and that Artan’s status will not change.
Where accounts differ
One source reports that U.S. Customs and Border Protection cited “vetting concerns” as the reason for denial. Another source reports that no reason for Artan’s repatriation has been issued by U.S. immigration authorities.
One source describes an 11-hour immigration interview and detention in a holding cell before Artan was flown to Istanbul. The other source does not mention that sequence of events.
Not yet confirmed
A single report says Artan underwent an 11-hour interview and was held in a cell before being put on a flight to Istanbul.
A single report quotes Andrew Giuliani of the White House Task Force on the World Cup saying the denial was “the right decision.”
A single report notes comments from former England striker Ian Wright calling the tournament a “World Cup of chaos.”
A single report mentions that Iran’s football federation said its fan ticket allocation for the group stage was revoked.
A single report states that Artan was named Africa’s best male referee in 2025.
It is unclear whether any diplomatic efforts by Somalia’s government could alter Artan’s status.
Key figures
Omar Artan – Somali referee; Pierluigi Collina – FIFA referees chief; Andrew Giuliani – White House Task Force on the World Cup; Ian Wright – former England striker; Gianni Infantino – FIFA president
Sources: BBC News, abcnews.com
