Somali Referee Omar Artan Misses World Cup After US Entry Denial
Poinews.com – FIFA confirmed Monday that Omar Artan, a Somali referee, will not officiate at the 2026 World Cup following his rejection by U.S. immigration authorities. The decision came after Artan was stopped from entering the United States upon arrival at Miami International Airport on Saturday.
Artan’s Experience in Miami
In an interview with the New York Times, Artan described being detained for over 11 hours and held in a holding cell, despite presenting a valid visa. Speaking from Istanbul, he expressed his disappointment, stating,
“I’m just a referee trying to live my biggest dream, to go to the World Cup.”
Artan claimed U.S. border officials questioned him about Somali politics, leading him to believe there were concerns about his country. He added,
“I think they have a problem with my country.”
FIFA’s Statement on the Matter
FIFA emphasized it could not override the U.S. decision, as immigration processes are managed by the host nations. “FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications,” the spokesperson noted, explaining that Artan’s status was confirmed as inadmissible due to vetting issues.
The World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, had initially selected Artan as one of 52 referees. He has served in the Somali national football league and officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations, most recently in 2025. That year, he was honored as men’s referee of the year by the Confederation of African Football.
Travel Ban Context and Artan’s Response
Somalia, which had previously celebrated Artan as the first Somali to be chosen for a World Cup, defended his case. The Ministry of Youth and Sports stated,
“The Ministry of Youth and Sports reaffirms its unwavering support for Omar Artan…has full confidence in his integrity, professionalism and continued contribution to the advancement of football both in Somalia and internationally.”
Artan, however, focused on the future, saying,
“Despite the circumstances I am in a positive mood and I am focused on the next challenges in my refereeing career.”
Somalian President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had praised Artan in April, calling him an inspiration for the nation’s youth. The referee’s exclusion from the tournament marks a significant setback for Somalia’s representation in international football.
