Somali Referee Denied Entry to the U.S. for World Cup

A World Cup referee from Somalia will not participate in the tournament due to entry denial into the United States. U.S. border officials announced on Monday that Omar Artan was not permitted entry just days before the start of the tournament.

Omar Artan was among the 52 referees chosen for the FIFA World Cup in North America. His selection was notable as he was one of only seven African referees selected. In 2025, the Confederation for African Football recognized him as the referee of the year.

Upon his arrival at Miami International Airport on Saturday, Artan was stopped entry into the U.S. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, he underwent additional inspection as part of their usual process to verify information or determine admissibility.

“Following inspection, the traveler, a referee for the FIFA World Cup, was determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns and was denied entry,” stated the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

FIFA confirmed that Mr. Artan will not officiate at the World Cup. The organization stated that they are not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa decisions.

This incident highlights how international politics can influence visa processes for those participating in such global events. Recent reports indicated similar issues for Iran’s soccer team, where certain support staff members were denied U.S. entry after players were granted visas.

The Trump administration has enforced strict travel and visa restrictions on Somalia, citing security concerns. Somalia’s path to stability has been challenged by an ongoing insurgency led by the militant group Al Shabaab, despite advancements over the past 15 years.

Omar Artan’s situation resonates deeply within Somalia, where his achievements in the international sports arena are celebrated despite national challenges. Ibrahim Abukar Ahmed, a Mogadishu resident, expressed his dismay at the news.

“When I received the news, I nearly collapsed because I had high hopes in him,” said Ahmed. “Today is a sad day not only for Artan, but for millions of Somalis.”

Hussein Mohamed and Tariq Panja contributed to this report, reporting from Mogadishu, Somalia, and Mexico City respectively.