Somali Referee Omar Artan Denied US Visa, Misses 2026 World Cup Duty
By Akpo Esco
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being denied entry into the United States, ending his historic run as Somalia’s first World Cup official.
Artan, named CAF Men’s Referee of the Year for 2025, was stopped at Miami International Airport and sent back. He’s now in Turkey. US immigration authorities gave no public reason for the repatriation, though Somalia is among countries affected by a travel ban reintroduced under President Donald Trump’s administration.
FIFA confirmed Artan’s exclusion in a statement:
“FIFA can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States. 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 senior adviser to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports told the BBC Artan traveled with valid documents. A Somali embassy official in Nairobi said his diplomatic passport was issued specifically to avoid earlier visa issues. The Somali Football Federation has asked FIFA for urgent clarification.
Artan, a FIFA referee since 2018 and AFCON official, told Reuters he remains positive:
“I would like to thank FIFA and CAF for all their support and I promise to keep my refereeing levels up as I concentrate on the future… I wish my colleagues all the best success during the World Cup and I look forward to joining them again in future competitions.”
Andrew Giuliani, who heads the White House Task Force on the World Cup, told BBC World Service he could not disclose details but backed the decision: “I can tell you it was the right decision by customs and border patrol and I support that decision.”
Artan was one of 52 referees FIFA selected for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the US, scheduled for 11 June to 19 July.
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