A Somali football referee poised to make history at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been denied entry into the United States, effectively ending his participation in the tournament.
The US Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Omar Artan was refused entry after arriving in South Florida on Saturday, despite reports indicating that he possessed a valid travel visa.
Following the decision, FIFA acknowledged that Artan would be unable to officiate matches or participate in pre-tournament training sessions.
In a statement, football’s world governing body emphasized that immigration matters remain the responsibility of the host nation. “FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications,” the governing body said, adding that it had been informed by US authorities that Artan’s status would not be changed.
The move has drawn strong criticism from Somali officials, who argue that the decision runs counter to the values of inclusivity and equal opportunity that underpin international sport.
“Omar Artan is among Africa’s most respected referees and deserves the support of the entire football community,” said Ciise Aden Abshir, a senior adviser to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports.
“Denying him entry to the US and preventing him from officiating scheduled matches harms not only him personally but also undermines football’s commitment to fairness, merit, and the spirit of fair play.”
US immigration authorities have not publicly disclosed the reason for Artan’s repatriation. However, Somalia is among a number of countries affected by a travel ban introduced under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Artan, who was named Africa’s best referee last year, has served as a FIFA referee since 2018 and has officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations. He had been expected to join the group of 170 match officials selected for the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup.
His achievements have earned recognition at the highest levels in Somalia. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud previously described Artan as “a symbol of inspiration for the new generation of Somalis.”
