Somali Referee Denied Entry to US for World Cup
A Somali referee who was due to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been denied entry into the United States over what authorities described as “vetting concerns”.
Omar Artan, who was set to make history as the first Somali referee at a World Cup, was stopped at Miami International Airport after arriving from Istanbul on Saturday.
The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said the decision followed a routine inspection process during which further checks were conducted to verify his admissibility. Although the agency did not mention Artan by name, he is the only Somali official appointed to the tournament.
Following the inspection, authorities determined that he was inadmissible and denied him entry into the country.
The incident has led to his removal from officiating duties at the tournament, which begins on June 11 across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with most matches scheduled to be played in the US.
The world football governing body, FIFA, confirmed that Artan would not be able to participate in training or officiate at the tournament, adding that it was informed by authorities that his status would not be changed.
FIFA also noted that immigration decisions are ultimately made by host governments and not the organisation itself.
Artan, who was named the Confederation of African Football Referee of the Year in 2025, said in a statement that he remained positive despite the setback and would focus on future opportunities in his refereeing career.
The decision comes amid wider immigration measures affecting entry into the United States, following a proclamation restricting travel from several countries, including Somalia.
CBP maintained that all travellers are subject to strict screening procedures and that admissibility decisions are made on a case-by-case basis using security and immigration information available at the time.
The development has sparked criticism from some football observers, who argue that it raises concerns about fairness and access ahead of the global tournament.
