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Somali referee excluded from World Cup after US denies entry
Omar Artan, the first Somali selected to officiate at a World Cup final, has been removed from the tournament roster after US authorities refused him entry at Miami International Airport, FIFA confirmed on Tuesday.
Background
Artan, named the 2025 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Men's Referee of the Year, was traveling to the United States to prepare for the World Cup, which begins on June 11. He has been a FIFA-certified referee since 2018 and has officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations.
No official explanation given
US immigration authorities have not provided a reason for Artan's repatriation. Somalia remains on a travel ban list established under former President Donald Trump's administration, though the current White House has not publicly linked the decision to that policy.
A senior adviser to Somalia's Ministry of Youth and Sports told the BBC that Artan held valid travel documents, including a diplomatic passport issued to facilitate his participation in international events.
FIFA responds
In a statement, FIFA acknowledged that Artan "will be unable to train and officiate at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States." The organization clarified that it does not influence host country immigration decisions, adding that US authorities indicated Artan's status would not be reconsidered.
"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."
FIFA statement
Artan's reaction
In a statement to Reuters, Artan expressed gratitude for the support from FIFA and CAF while maintaining a positive outlook.
"I would like to thank FIFA and CAF for all their support, and I promise to keep my refereeing levels up as I concentrate on the future. I want to thank the football family for their messages and wish my colleagues all the best success during the World Cup. I look forward to joining them again in future competitions."
Omar Artan
Somalia seeks answers
The Somali Football Federation (SFF) has requested urgent clarification from FIFA regarding the incident. Meanwhile, a Somali embassy official in Nairobi confirmed to the BBC that Artan's diplomatic passport was issued to address prior visa complications.
Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House Task Force on the World Cup, defended the decision in an interview with the BBC World Service, stating, "While I can't go into the derogatory information, I can tell you it was the right decision by Customs and Border Protection, and I support that decision."
Tournament impact
Artan was one of 52 referees selected to officiate at the 2026 World Cup, hosted jointly by Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19.
