Somali referee denied entry to US for World Cup

Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan has been denied entry to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Artan was set to be the first from Somalia to officiate at the World Cup.

It was not immediately clear why Artan was barred from entering the United States at Miami International Airport, but Somalia is one of several countries on a travel ban list introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.

“Omar Artan is among Africa’s most respected referees and deserves the support of the entire football community,” a senior advisor to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and a former national team captain, Ciise Aden Abshir, told AFP on Monday.

Abshir added that’s Artan had a valid visa for the United States.

He added that the referee has flown back to Istanbul, where he has been staying.

“Denying him entry to the United States and preventing him from officiating scheduled matches harms not only him personally but also undermines football’s commitment to fairness, merit, and the spirit of fair play,” Abshir said.

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Artan was among the 52 referees announced by FIFA to officiate at the June-July World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

He has been officiating in the Somali national football league championships since he became a FIFA referee in 2018.

He also officiated at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Algeria, and in 2025 he was named by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as men’s referee of the year.

Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud commended Artan in April after he made history as the first Somalian to be selected to officiate at the World Cup finals.

“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,” said Mohamud.