US denies entry to Somali referee selected for 2026 World Cup

WASHINGTON: US authorities have refused entry to a Somali referee who had travelled to the United States to work at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to statements from US Customs and Border Protection and FIFA.

US Customs and Border Protection said on Monday that the Somali national arrived at Miami International Airport on Saturday, departing Istanbul International Airport. The agency said he was found inadmissible due to vetting concerns and denied entry. It did not specify what those concerns were.

CBP did not identify the referee by name. However, FIFA confirmed that the official was Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who had been due to take part in training and officiating duties at the tournament.

A FIFA spokesperson said Artan would no longer have any involvement in the competition after the US decision. "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."

FIFA also said the matter was outside its control and rested with the host country’s immigration authorities. "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. In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country."

Referee had been selected among 52 officials

Artan was among the 52 referees named by FIFA for the World Cup finals to be staged in the United States, Canada and Mexico. He held a valid visa and was set to become the first Somali official to referee at a World Cup.

He has officiated in Somalia’s national football league championships since becoming a FIFA referee in 2018. He also worked at the 2023 African Cup of Nations finals in Algeria. In 2025, the Confederation of African Football named him men’s referee of the year.

Wider immigration concerns around the tournament

The case comes amid scrutiny of US immigration rules ahead of the World Cup. The Trump administration’s hardline immigration policies have raised concern among tournament attendees. Washington last year imposed a broad travel ban on citizens of 12 countries, including Somalia.

Somalia’s embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.