Omar Artan US entry denial: Somali referee barred from entering the US despite visa ahead of FIFA World Cup officiating duties

Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan, set to become the first official from his country to officiate at a FIFA World Cup finals, has been denied entry into the United States, a Somali sports ministry official confirmed on Monday.

Also read: FIFA enforces strict rule on goalkeeper timeouts for 2026 World Cup

The incident reportedly occurred at Miami International Airport, though authorities have not yet provided an official reason for the decision. Somalia is among several countries previously affected by travel restrictions introduced under policies linked to former US President Donald Trump’s administration.

A senior adviser to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ciise Aden Abshir, described Artan as one of Africa’s most respected referees, saying he “deserves the support of the entire football community.”

Abshir confirmed that Artan held a valid US visa before his arrival but was nonetheless refused entry and subsequently returned to Istanbul, where he had been residing prior to the trip.

He added that the decision not only affects the referee personally but also raises broader concerns about fairness and the integrity of international sporting commitments.

Artan was among 52 referees selected by FIFA to officiate at the upcoming World Cup finals scheduled to be hosted across Canada, Mexico and the United States.

The Somali official has built a distinguished refereeing career since becoming a FIFA-listed referee in 2018, regularly officiating in domestic competitions and continental tournaments.

He previously officiated at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Algeria and was named men’s referee of the year by the Confederation of African Football in 2025.

His selection for the World Cup had been widely celebrated in Somalia as a historic milestone, with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud praising him in April as a symbol of national pride and inspiration for young Somalis.

The development has sparked concern within football circles, particularly given Artan’s confirmed inclusion in FIFA’s officiating list and his expected role at one of the sport’s biggest global events.

As of press time, neither FIFA nor US immigration authorities had issued a detailed public explanation for the denial of entry.