Somali referee Omar Artan barred from 2026 World Cup after US entry denial
FIFA confirms Somali referee Omar Artan will not officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being denied entry to the United States. Artan, who would have become the first Somali referee to work at a World Cup finals, was reportedly stopped at Miami International Airport and subsequently repatriated to Turkey despite travelling with valid documents.
The highly rated official, who was named CAF Men's Referee of the Year in 2025 and selected among 52 referees for the tournament, was issued a diplomatic passport specifically to facilitate his travel following previous visa difficulties. FIFA stated they cannot override host country immigration processes, as the US government ultimately determines who receives visas.
Somali Football Federation has contacted FIFA seeking urgent clarification over the circumstances surrounding Artan's exclusion. The incident coincides with travel restrictions affecting Somalia under measures introduced by the Trump administration, though US immigration authorities have given no official reason for denying entry. With the World Cup jointly hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico starting June 11, Artan's historic opportunity has been put on hold.
Does this incident raise concerns about how visa decisions impact international sporting events and diplomatic relations?