Omar Artan, who was poised to become the first Somali referee at the World Cup finals, has been removed from the list of officiating officials after being barred from entering the United States.
The 2025 Confederation of African Football (Caf) men’s referee of the year was stopped at Miami International Airport and is currently in Turkey.
U.S. immigration authorities have not provided a specific reason for Artan’s repatriation, but Somalia is among several nations included in a travel ban enacted during President Donald Trump’s administration.
Following discussions with U.S. officials, FIFA confirmed that Artan would not participate in the tournament.
”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,” a statement read.
”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.
In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country.”
Referees’ Chief Pierluigi Collina has established a training hub for the tournament’s 52 referees and 88 assistant referees in Miami.
All officials must remain at the Florida base for training, preparation, and security, making it impossible for Artan to officiate matches held in Canada or Mexico while based outside the U.S.
A senior advisor from Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports confirmed to the BBC that Artan had valid travel documents when he was denied entry.
An official from the Somali embassy in Nairobi stated that Artan’s diplomatic passport was issued to facilitate his travel after previous visa challenges.
In a statement to Reuters, Artan expressed his determination to remain optimistic despite the situation.
”I would like to thank FIFA and CAF for all their support, and I promise to maintain my refereeing standards as I focus on future opportunities,” he said.
”I appreciate the football community for their messages and wish my colleagues great success during the World Cup, I look forward to joining them again in upcoming competitions.”
The Somali Football Federation (SFF) has reached out to FIFA for urgent clarification regarding Artan’s situation.
Andrew Giuliani, who heads the White House Task Force on the World Cup, commented on BBC World Service, “While I can’t disclose specific details, I believe customs and border patrol made the right decision, and I support it.”
The World Cup is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19.
Artan became a FIFA referee in 2018 and has officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations after serving as an official in the Somali national football league championships.
His situation adds to ongoing controversies surrounding the World Cup, with Iran’s football federation announcing that their allocation of fan tickets for the group stage has been revoked.
Pundit and former England striker Ian Wright criticized the tournament as a “World Cup of chaos,” stating in an Instagram video, “Every few hours brings another story about fans, players, officials, or journalists being denied entry.
It’s amusing but also concerning. This is not how hosts should treat one of the greatest tournaments in the world. American fans must feel embarrassed by this situation.”
”This truly is a World Cup of chaos.”
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong