Somali referee Omar Artan, who was set to become the first Somali official to referee at a FIFA World Cup, has been removed from the tournament after being denied entry into the United States.
Artan, the 2025 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Men’s Referee of the Year, was stopped at Miami International Airport and later repatriated. He is currently in Turkey.
US immigration authorities have not publicly provided a reason for the decision. However, Somalia is among several countries affected by a travel ban introduced by President Donald Trump’s administration.
Following discussions with US authorities, FIFA confirmed that Artan would be unable to participate in the 2026 World Cup.
In a statement, FIFA said Artan would not be able to train or officiate at the tournament after being denied entry into the United States. The governing body added that immigration decisions are the responsibility of the host nation and that FIFA has no role in visa approvals or entry determinations.
All referees selected for the World Cup are required to stay at a training and preparation hub in Miami, established by FIFA’s head of refereeing, Pierluigi Collina. Because attendance at the Florida base is mandatory, Artan cannot officiate matches in Canada or Mexico while remaining outside the United States.
A senior adviser to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports confirmed that Artan was travelling with valid documents. A Somali embassy official in Nairobi also stated that he had been issued a diplomatic passport to help facilitate his travel after previous visa difficulties.
Despite the setback, Artan remained positive. In comments released through Reuters, he thanked FIFA and CAF for their support and said he would continue focusing on his future in refereeing. He also wished his fellow match officials success at the World Cup and expressed hope of returning to future international tournaments.
The Somali Football Federation has contacted FIFA seeking urgent clarification regarding the situation.
Speaking to the BBC, Andrew Giuliani, who heads the White House Task Force on the World Cup, defended the decision, saying he supported the action taken by US Customs and Border Protection.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July.
Artan became a FIFA referee in 2018 and has officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations, earning recognition as one of Africa’s top football officials.
