Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, one of 52 officials selected by FIFA to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, has been denied entry into the United States and will miss the tournament entirely, FIFA confirmed. The decision, made by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at Miami International Airport, has drawn sharp criticism from Somali sports officials and raised questions about immigration policy and its intersection with international sport.

What Happened at Miami Airport

Artan arrived at Miami International Airport on a flight from Istanbul on Saturday and was subjected to what CBP described as a “routine” inspection. Despite reportedly holding a valid entry visa, he was barred from entering the country. He was subsequently sent back to Istanbul, where he had been based prior to the tournament.

In a statement, CBP said: “Following inspection, the traveler, a referee for the FIFA World Cup, was determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns and was denied entry.” The agency added that “all travellers seeking entry into the United States, including athletes, coaches, and staff, are subject to CBP inspection and vetting” and that “admissibility determinations are made on a case-by-case basis using law enforcement, national security, and immigration information available at the time of inspection.” CBP did not cite a specific reason for the denial.

Somalia on the US Travel Ban List

Somalia is among several nations on a travel restriction list introduced under President Donald Trump’s administration. While CBP did not explicitly link Artan’s denial to this list, the country’s inclusion on it is widely seen as the likely backdrop to the decision. Artan had reportedly secured the necessary visa documentation, making the airport-level denial particularly notable.

FIFA Confirms Artan Will Not Officiate

FIFA issued a formal statement confirming the development: “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.”

The governing body distanced itself from the decision, stating: “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 further noted that, “in line with previous Fifa events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country.”

Who Is Omar Artan

Artan became a FIFA-certified referee in 2018 and has officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). He holds a senior role in the Somali national football league championships. Had he taken charge of a match at the World Cup, he would have been the first Somali referee in the tournament’s history — a milestone now lost.

Somali Officials React

Cisse Aden Abshir, an advisor to the Somali Ministry of Youth and Sports, condemned the decision. “Omar Artan is among Africa’s most respected referees and deserves the support of the entire football community,” Abshir said. He added: “Denying him entry to the United States 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.”

The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July across co-host nations Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Whether FIFA or the broader football community will formally escalate the matter remains to be seen.