Award-winning Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been denied entry into the United States, despite reportedly holding a valid visa, according to Somali sports officials.
Artan, who was selected by FIFA to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, was set to become the first Somali referee in history to officiate at football’s biggest tournament. However, upon arrival at Miami International Airport from Istanbul, U.S. authorities denied him entry and returned him to Turkey.
A senior adviser to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports described the decision as a setback for both the official and the sport, arguing that it undermines football’s principles of fairness and merit.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed that Artan was found inadmissible following security vetting but did not disclose specific reasons. FIFA has since confirmed that he will no longer participate as a match official at the tournament.
The incident has drawn international attention, particularly as Somalia is among the countries affected by U.S. travel restrictions. No official confirmation has linked Artan’s case directly to those policies.
Artan, a FIFA referee since 2018, has officiated major continental competitions and was named the Confederation of African Football’s Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025.
