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Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been ruled out of officiating at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being denied entry into the United States, where the tournament will be staged.
Artan, who was expected to become the first Somali referee to take part in a World Cup finals, was reportedly stopped at Miami International Airport and subsequently sent back. He is currently in Turkey following the incident.
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No official explanation has been provided by US immigration authorities, although Somalia is among countries affected by travel restrictions previously introduced under US policy frameworks.
Following discussions with US officials, FIFA confirmed that Artan would not be able to participate in the tournament.
In a statement, FIFA said the referee would be unable to train or officiate at the World Cup due to his entry status, noting that host nations retain authority over visa and entry decisions.
The world football governing body further clarified that it does not control immigration processes, adding that admission into host countries is ultimately determined by their governments.
Officials from Somalia’s football authorities confirmed that Artan had been travelling with valid documentation. A Somali embassy official in Nairobi also stated that he had been issued a diplomatic passport to support his travel after earlier visa challenges.
The Somali Football Federation has since sought clarification from FIFA over the decision.
A White House World Cup task force adviser defended the move, saying US border authorities had acted appropriately in handling the matter.
Artan was among 52 referees selected by FIFA for the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June to July 2026.
He has been a FIFA-listed referee since 2018 and has previously officiated at major continental competitions, including the Africa Cup of Nations.
