First Somali World Cup Referee Dropped After US Immigration Decision
Somalian referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been ruled out of officiating at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after United States authorities denied him entry into the country, FIFA confirmed on Monday. Artan, who was set to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a World Cup, was reportedly stopped upon arrival at Miami International Airport on Saturday. In a statement, FIFA said the experienced match official would no longer be part of the tournament due to the immigration decision taken by US authorities. “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 organisation stated. FIFA explained that visa approvals and immigration decisions fall entirely under the jurisdiction of host nations and are beyond the control of football’s governing body. According to a spokesperson for the United States Customs and Border Protection agency, Artan underwent additional screening during routine processing before being deemed inadmissible due to unspecified vetting concerns. The development comes as Somalia remains among countries affected by immigration restrictions introduced under US policy. Despite the setback, Artan maintained a positive outlook, saying he remains focused on advancing his refereeing career. “Despite the circumstances, I am in a positive mood and focused on the next challenges in my refereeing journey,” he said, while thanking supporters and wishing fellow officials success at the tournament.
Officials in Somalia expressed disappointment over the decision, describing Artan as one of Africa’s most respected referees. Ciise Aden Abshir, a senior adviser to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports, said preventing Artan from participating was a loss not only for the referee but also for the principles of merit and fairness in global football. Artan was among the 52 match officials selected by FIFA for the tournament, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Since earning his FIFA badge in 2018, he has officiated at top-level competitions across Africa, including the Africa Cup of Nations. In 2025, he was named the Confederation of African Football’s Men’s Referee of the Year. Earlier this year, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud praised Artan's achievement, describing him as an inspiration to young Somalis and a symbol of professionalism and excellence in sports.
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