WASHINGTON: (Web Desk) – Award-winning Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will not officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being denied entry into the United States, according to confirmation from FIFA.
Artan, who was set to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a World Cup, was refused entry upon arriving at Miami International Airport on Saturday. FIFA later confirmed that he would be unable to participate in the tournament in any official capacity.
A FIFA spokesperson said the organization had no authority over immigration decisions made by host nations and had been informed that Artan’s status would not be changed. The governing body emphasized that visa approvals and entry permissions remain the responsibility of the host country.
According to a spokesperson for United States Customs and Border Protection, Artan underwent additional screening during routine processing. Following the inspection, officials determined that he was inadmissible due to vetting concerns and denied him entry into the country.
The decision comes amid broader immigration restrictions affecting several countries, including Somalia, under policies introduced by Donald Trump.
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Despite the setback, Artan remained optimistic about his future in football officiating. In a statement, he thanked supporters for their messages and wished fellow referees success at the tournament, adding that he looks forward to participating in future international competitions.
Officials in Mogadishu expressed disappointment over the decision. Former Somalia national team captain and sports adviser Ciise Aden Abshir described Artan as one of Africa’s most respected referees and argued that preventing him from officiating undermines football’s values of fairness and merit.
Abshir said Artan returned to Istanbul after being denied entry in Miami.
Artan was among the 52 match officials selected by FIFA for the World Cup finals, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Since becoming a FIFA referee in 2018, Artan has officiated in Somalia’s domestic league and represented African officiating on the international stage, including at the Africa Cup of Nations. In 2025, he was named the Confederation of African Football’s Men’s Referee of the Year.
Earlier this year, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud praised Artan after his World Cup selection, describing him as an inspiration to young Somalis and a symbol of professionalism and integrity.
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