World Cup 2026: Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan reportedly denied entry to United States

Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has reportedly been denied entry to the United States ahead of the 2026 World Cup, casting uncertainty over the participation of one of Africa’s most respected match officials.

The development emerged only days before the start of the tournament and was first reported by pan-African journalist Micky Jr., who stated that the Somali international referee was refused entry upon arrival and subsequently sent back to Turkey.

Artan is widely regarded as one of the leading referees on the African continent and had spent years working towards the opportunity to be involved on football’s biggest stage.

According to the reports, his journey to the United States was not without complications. The official had initially encountered visa difficulties before eventually obtaining the necessary travel clearance.

The approval reportedly came after a strong wave of support on social media, where many football followers and supporters highlighted his case.

After securing the visa, Artan travelled from Kenya, transited through Turkey and ultimately arrived in the United States. However, despite completing the journey, he was reportedly stopped by immigration authorities upon arrival.

The reports claim that he was denied entry and placed on a return flight to Turkey.

No official reason for the decision has been made public, and the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear. Neither the specific grounds for the reported refusal nor any further details regarding his immigration status have been disclosed.

The absence of an official explanation has fuelled questions across the football community, particularly given Artan’s profile and the timing of the incident so close to the start of the World Cup.

The Somali official has built a strong reputation through his performances in international competitions and is considered one of Africa’s most accomplished referees.

His reported inability to enter the host country has therefore attracted significant attention among supporters and observers.

For now, the information available remains limited to the reports that Artan was denied entry and returned to Turkey after arriving in the United States.

Until clarification is provided by the relevant authorities or football governing bodies, uncertainty will continue to surround the situation and the potential impact it may have on one of Africa’s most prominent referees ahead of the World Cup.