Somali national referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to participate in training and officiate at the 2026 World Cup after being denied entry into the US last weekend, a spokesperson for the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) stated on 8/6. Artan's denial marks a significant setback, as he was slated to become the first Somali referee to officiate at the tournament.
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) did not specifically name Artan but confirmed that a Somali national arrived at Miami International Airport in Florida on 6/6. This individual was deemed ineligible for entry due to security concerns identified during the screening process. CBP declined to elaborate on the specific concerns, noting that the individual underwent routine secondary inspection before being denied entry. "Decisions on admissibility are made on a case-by-case basis, based on law enforcement, national security, and immigration information available at the time of inspection", CBP stated.
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Referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan officiating a match at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2024. *AFP*. |
FIFA clarified its role in the matter, with a spokesperson stating that the organization "is not involved in the host nation's entry process, which includes visa approval. We have been informed by officials that Mr. Artan's status will not change. As is customary at FIFA events, the host country's government has the final say on who is granted a visa and entry". Media reports indicate that referee Artan held a valid visa when he traveled to the US. The Somali Embassy in the US has not commented on the incident.
The denial comes amidst broader concerns regarding the strict immigration policies of the Donald Trump administration, which imposed widespread entry restrictions last year on citizens from 12 countries, including Somalia. Artan, who was honored as Africa's best male referee in 2025 and selected by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for the 2026 World Cup, had his historic opportunity thwarted by these policies.
Despite the setback, Artan affirmed that he remains optimistic and focused on his next career goals as a referee. "I thank FIFA and CAF for their support. I promise to continue maintaining a high professional standard. I also want to thank the wider football community for their encouragement. I wish my colleagues success at the World Cup and hope to join them in future tournaments", he stated.
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Iranian players during a friendly match against Gambia in Antalya, Turkey on 29/5. *Reuters*. |
Artan's situation is not isolated, as other sports delegations have also encountered difficulties entering the US. President of the Iran Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, stated on 7/6 that the national football team was granted entry to the US for the tournament, but "just one day before the match", prompting accusations of unfair treatment. Amir Ghalenoei, head coach of the Iranian national team, further noted that some management staff, reporters, and executives were still not permitted to attend the tournament.
By Huyen Le (Reuters, CNN)
