Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who had been selected by FIFA to officiate matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, has reportedly been denied entry to the United States.
Artan arrived at Miami International Airport on a flight from Istanbul and was subjected to additional screening by officers from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Following the review, authorities determined that the Somali referee would not be admitted to the country and arranged for his return to Türkiye. Artan was named “Referee of the Year” by the Confederation of African Football last year.
In a statement, CBP said that all travelers, athletes, and official delegates are subject to immigration and security screening procedures upon arrival in the United States. The agency added that Artan was found inadmissible following the review process.
FIFA later confirmed that Omar Artan will not be able to participate in pre-World Cup training programs or officiate during the tournament. The organization emphasized that visa issuance and admission decisions fall under the authority of the host country and are not controlled by FIFA.
