World Cup 2026: Somali referee Omar Artan ruled out of tournament after US entry refusal

Award-winning Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been ruled out of officiating at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being denied entry into the United States, football’s world governing body FIFA confirmed on Monday.

Artan, who arrived at Miami International Airport on Saturday, was refused entry following what United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) described as a routine inspection process that raised admissibility concerns. He was subsequently returned to Istanbul and will not participate in the tournament.

FIFA said it had no authority over immigration decisions taken by host nations, stressing that entry clearance remains the sole responsibility of tournament organisers in the host countries.

“FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan’s status will not be changed at present,” a spokesperson said, adding that he would not be able to train or officiate at the tournament.

A CBP spokesperson said the decision followed additional checks conducted during processing, describing it as part of standard vetting procedures when determining admissibility.

Artan’s exclusion comes against the backdrop of ongoing US immigration restrictions affecting several countries, including Somalia, which has featured on travel restriction lists introduced during the administration of Donald Trump.

A senior adviser to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ciise Aden Abshir, said Artan had held a valid visa and described him as one of Africa’s most respected officials. He warned that the decision undermines principles of fairness in sport.

Artan was among 52 referees selected by FIFA for the World Cup finals across Canada, Mexico and the United States, a landmark appointment that would have made him the first Somali official to take charge of matches at the tournament.

He has been a FIFA-listed referee since 2018, officiating in Somalia’s domestic league and featuring at major continental competitions, including the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Algeria. In 2025, he was named men’s referee of the year by the Confederation of African Football.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had earlier praised his historic selection, describing him as an inspiration for young Somalis and a symbol of professionalism and integrity in the sport.