Somalian referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will not be part of the officiating team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after reportedly being denied entry into the United States despite holding a valid travel visa.
Artan had made history as the first referee from Somalia to be selected by FIFA to officiate at a FIFA World Cup. However, that milestone has been overshadowed after U.S. immigration authorities reportedly prevented him from entering the country upon his arrival at Miami International Airport from Istanbul, Turkey.
According to reports, the decision means Artan will be unable to participate in pre-tournament training activities or officiate matches during the World Cup.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency stated that a Somali national arriving in Miami was found inadmissible following additional security screening. However, authorities did not publicly disclose the specific reasons behind the decision.
Artan, who was named CAF Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025, was among the 52 match officials selected by FIFA for the 2026 World Cup.
Prior to the incident, his appointment had been widely celebrated across Africa and in Somalia as a major breakthrough for refereeing development in the country. In 2024, he became the first Somali referee to officiate at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), before earning further appointments in international competitions.
FIFA has maintained that it does not control visa issuance or immigration decisions made by host nations, and that U.S. authorities have the final say on who is permitted to enter the country.
The incident has sparked widespread debate within the football community, with some Somali sports officials expressing disappointment, arguing that the decision has denied Artan the opportunity to fulfil his dream of representing his country on football’s biggest stage.
Reports indicate that Artan has since returned to Istanbul, while FIFA is expected to identify a replacement official ahead of the tournament.
