Somali match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been refused entry to the United States, preventing him from participating in the FIFA World Cup 2026 as planned. Artan was stopped upon arrival at Miami International Airport and subsequently sent back to Turkey, where he is currently residing. No official explanation has been provided by US immigration authorities for this decision.
Artan was set to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a World Cup finals. His absence from the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, marks a significant setback. The 2025 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Men’s Referee of the Year will no longer be able to fulfill his duties on the officiating panel.
FIFA confirmed that Artan will no longer participate in the competition, emphasizing that visa and entry decisions rest solely with host governments. The organization stated it was informed by US officials that his immigration status would not be altered and reiterated that it does not intervene in visa or immigration processes, which remain under the jurisdiction of the host nation.
Meanwhile, reports have highlighted that Somalia is among the countries affected by US travel restrictions introduced during President Donald Trump’s administration. However, no direct connection to Artan’s case has been officially established. A senior adviser from Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports affirmed that Artan was traveling with valid documentation at the time of his arrival. Additionally, a Somali embassy representative in Nairobi noted that the referee had been issued a diplomatic passport to assist his international travel after previous visa difficulties.
The Somali Football Federation has formally reached out to FIFA seeking clarification regarding the decision. In a notable development, Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House Task Force on the World Cup, defended the actions of border authorities, stating they acted appropriately in this matter.
Artan’s refereeing career, which began with his FIFA listing in 2018, includes officiating at prominent continental tournaments such as the Africa Cup of Nations. He also officiates in Somalia’s national league and was regarded as a groundbreaking figure for Somali refereeing at the World Cup. His exclusion has caused disappointment within Somali football circles, where he was seen as a symbol of advancement in the country’s refereeing standards.
