Somali World Cup referee Omar Artan denied entry to USA
Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the USA for the 2026 World Cup due to vetting concerns at Miami International Airport, despite having a valid visa and being named as an official for the tournament. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) stated the decision was made on a case-by-case basis using law enforcement and national security information, while Somali officials called the move unfair and harmful to football’s principles.
Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after arriving at Miami International Airport on June 6. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Artan was deemed inadmissible due to vetting concerns during routine inspection, despite holding a valid visa. The CBP statement confirmed that all travelers, including athletes and officials, undergo admissibility checks based on law enforcement and national security data. Artan was scheduled to officiate matches at the World Cup, making him the first Somali to referee in the tournament. He previously became the first Somali to referee a continental final in the 2024–25 CAF Champions League and was named Africa’s men’s referee of the year in 2025. Somali officials, including Ciise Aden Abshir from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, criticized the decision, calling it unfair and damaging to football’s commitment to merit and fairness. The denial occurred despite FIFA officially listing Artan as a match official for the tournament in April. Somalia remains on the list of countries affected by President Donald Trump’s travel ban. FIFA and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security have not yet commented on the situation. Artan was returned to Istanbul after being turned away at the airport.
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