Somali Referee Omar Artan Denied US Entry Ahead of Historic World Cup Appointment

Somali referee Omar Artan’s anticipated breakthrough at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been thrown into uncertainty after he was reportedly denied entry into the United States days before the tournament begins.

According to the BBC on Monday, Artan was stopped at Miami International Airport and sent back to Turkey, despite being officially selected among 52 match officials for the World Cup.

The tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is set to kick off on June 11.

His exclusion is particularly significant as he was poised to become the first Somali referee in FIFA World Cup history.

No official reason has been disclosed by US immigration authorities.

However, the BBC noted that Somalia is among several countries affected by travel restrictions introduced under the administration of US President Donald Trump, adding political context to the development.

Artan, a FIFA-listed referee since 2018, has steadily built a strong reputation across African football, officiating at the Africa Cup of Nations and other major continental tournaments.

His achievements were formally recognised in 2025 when he was named CAF Men’s Referee of the Year.

Despite his selection for the World Cup, his current status casts doubt on whether he will be able to fulfil what would have been a landmark moment for Somali football on the global stage.

Neither FIFA nor US authorities have issued further clarification as the situation develops ahead of kickoff.

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