Somali Referee Artan Denied Entry To United States Ahead Of World Cup

Somalia’s Omar Artan has been barred from entering the United States, just weeks before the start of the 2026 World Cup finals.

Artan was set to make history as the first Somali referee ever to officiate at a World Cup finals tournament.

He was turned away at Miami International Airport and is currently in Turkey following his repatriation by US immigration authorities.

No official reason has been given by US immigration authorities for the decision to deny Artan entry into the country.

Somalia is among several nations included on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump’s administration, which is widely understood to be a factor in the case.

Artan holds considerable standing in the officiating world, having been named the 2025 Confederation of African Football men’s referee of the year.

He was one of 52 referees selected by Fifa to officiate at the World Cup finals, which are being hosted across Canada, Mexico and the United States.

The tournament runs from 12 June to 19 July, with matches spread across all three host nations throughout that period.

Artan became a Fifa-listed referee in 2018 and has gained significant experience since then, including officiating at the African Cup of Nations.

He also serves as an official in the Somali national football league championships, making him a prominent figure in the domestic game back home.

His situation has drawn wider attention to the difficulties facing players, officials, and supporters from nations affected by the US travel ban restrictions.

The case raises serious questions about how Fifa and the host nation will manage the participation of officials and others affected by the restrictions as the tournament approaches.

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