Somali Referee Denied Entry to U.S. for World Cup
Omar Artan may be one of Africa’s top soccer referees—but he won’t be officiating in the upcoming FIFA World Cup after U.S. immigration authorities denied him entry into the country, citing “vetting concerns” that rendered him “inadmissible.”
Customs and Border Protection said in a statement Monday that a Somali World Cup referee arrived at Miami International Airport from Istanbul, Turkey, on June 6, and was barred from entry following additional “routine” inspection. The statement did not mention Artan by name, though he is the only Somali among the 52 FIFA-handpicked referees for the tournament, which kicks off on June 11.
“Admissibility determinations are made on a case-by-case basis using law enforcement, national security, and immigration information available at the time of inspection,” the CBP statement added. “CBP officers have the authority to question travelers, conduct inspections, and determine admissibility consistent with U.S. law.”
FIFA, in a separate statement released Monday, confirmed that Artan “will be unable to train and officiate at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry” into the U.S. The global soccer governing body reiterated that it is not involved in the immigration processes—including visa decisions—of tournament host countries. This year’s World Cup has three host nations: Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.
“In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country,” the FIFA statement added.
It was unclear why immigration authorities denied Artan entry, who is now back in Istanbul. A government official in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, told Agence France-Presse that Artan had a valid U.S. visa.
But Somalia has been a target of the Trump Administration’s immigration policies. Trump revived a travel ban last year that covered nationals from 39 countries, including Somalia, though there are exemptions, including for “any athlete or member of an athletic team, including the coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives, traveling for the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting event as determined by the Secretary of State.”
Ciise Aden Abshir, a senior adviser to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports, slammed the decision to refuse Artan’s entry, telling AFP on Monday that Artan is “among Africa’s most respected referees and deserves the support of the entire football community.”
A loss for Somalia
Artan’s denial of entry to the U.S. abruptly ends what would have been an historic World Cup participation. He was the first Somali selected to officiate in the men’s tournament finals, a feat for which the East African nation’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud congratulated him back in April. “I commend the effort, professionalism, and integrity shown by referee Omar, as he has become a symbol of inspiration for the new generation of Somalis,” Mohamud said at the time.
Artan became a FIFA referee in 2018 and has officiated in Somali national football league championships. He was named as men’s referee of the year by the Confederation of African Football in 2025.
Speaking to Al Jazeera earlier this year, Artan said it was an “honor” to be a pioneer for his country, and he hoped to do well as a match official in the World Cup.
A former football player himself, Artan got injured while playing, which made him decide to become a referee. He pursued refereeing despite ongoing civil strife in Somalia, telling Al Jazeera that he at times had to navigate around explosions on Somali roads just to reach training at the stadium.
“You cannot give up as a referee,” Artan told the network then. “You have to continue, and you have to fight if you want to go to a place like the World Cup.”
The Somali referee acknowledged the U.S.’s refusal on Monday and said in a statement that, “despite the circumstances,” he was “in a positive mood” and was “focused on the next challenges” in his refereeing career.
This article originally appeared on Time Magazine.