Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan has been denied entry into the United States at Miami International Airport despite holding a valid visa, jeopardising his historic participation as the first Somali official selected for a FIFA World Cup finals.
Artan, one of 52 referees chosen by FIFA for the 2026 tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, was stopped upon arrival and subsequently returned to Istanbul, Turkey, where he had been based.
The reason for the denial was not immediately disclosed, though Somalia is among countries subject to US travel restrictions under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Ciise Aden Abshir, senior adviser at Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports, expressed disappointment over the incident.
“Omar Artan is among Africa’s most respected referees and deserves the support of the entire football community,” Abshir told AFP.
He added: “Denying him entry to the United States and preventing him from officiating scheduled matches harms not only him personally but also undermines football’s commitment to fairness, merit, and the spirit of fair play.”
Artan became a FIFA-accredited referee in 2018 and has officiated in Somalia’s domestic league, the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, and was named CAF Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had earlier praised him as “a symbol of inspiration for the new generation of Somalis.”
The case has intensified concerns about visa access for officials and players from certain nations ahead of the expanded 48-team tournament.
