Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was on track to become the first match official from Somalia to officiate at a FIFA World Cup, has been removed from the 2026 tournament after being denied entry into the United States. Artan was reportedly stopped by immigration officials upon arriving at Miami International Airport and was subsequently sent back. He is currently in Turkey.
Artan, who was named CAF Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025, had been selected among the officials for the World Cup and was expected to make history for Somali football. However, his journey to the tournament came to an abrupt halt following the immigration decision by US authorities.
While officials in the United States have not publicly stated the reason for denying him entry, Somalia is among the countries affected by travel restrictions introduced under the administration of President Donald Trump. The development has raised questions about the impact of immigration policies on international sporting events.
In a statement, FIFA confirmed that Artan would no longer take part in the tournament, stressing that visa approvals and immigration matters are the responsibility of host countries. The world football governing body said it had been informed that there would be no change to his immigration status at this time.
Despite the setback, Artan expressed appreciation to FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for their support throughout the process. He said he remains committed to his refereeing career and wished his fellow officials success at the World Cup, while expressing hope of participating in future international competitions.
The Somali Football Federation has reportedly reached out to FIFA seeking clarification over the incident. Artan, who became a FIFA referee in 2018, has officiated at several major African football tournaments, including the Africa Cup of Nations. He was one of 52 referees selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
Elijah Adeyemi
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