Somali Referee Denied Entry to U.S., Removed from World Cup Officiating List

Omar Artan, the first referee from Somalia selected to officiate matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, has been denied entry into the United States.

Major international media outlets, including the Associated Press and The Guardian, reported today (June 9) that "Omar Artan, who was set to become the first referee in Somali history to officiate at a World Cup, was denied entry to the U.S." They added, "Despite holding a valid travel visa, Artan was denied entry at Miami International Airport on the 7th."

According to the Associated Press, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirmed that a Somali national scheduled to serve as a referee for this World Cup was denied entry after arriving at Miami International Airport on a flight from Istanbul.

Although the CBP statement did not name the individual, Artan is the only referee of Somali nationality for this World Cup.

Artan, who has been a FIFA referee since 2028, was named the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Referee of the Year last year and was set to become the first Somali referee to officiate at the 2026 World Cup.

Despite obtaining a U.S. visa and even receiving a diplomatic passport from the Somali Embassy in Nairobi, it is reported that the CBP denied Artan entry immediately upon his arrival at Miami International Airport and placed him on a return flight to Istanbul.

Regarding the incident, the CBP stated, "During the inspection process, the traveler was referred for further examination. This is a routine procedure that airport staff perform when they need to verify information or determine admissibility."

The agency added, "As a result of the inspection, the traveler was found inadmissible due to issues related to background checks and was denied entry. All travelers seeking to enter the U.S., including athletes, coaches, and staff, are subject to CBP inspection and background checks."

The CBP emphasized, "Admissibility is determined on a case-by-case basis at the time of inspection based on national security and immigration information. CBP officers have the authority to question and examine travelers to determine their eligibility to enter the U.S. under U.S. law."

Somalia is among the countries included in the travel ban implemented by the Trump administration as part of broader immigration enforcement measures.

Isse Aden Abshir, a former captain of the Somali national team and senior advisor to the Somali Ministry of Youth and Sports, criticized the move in an interview with AFP, stating, "Artan is one of the most respected referees in Africa and deserves the support of the entire football community. The decision to deny him entry to the U.S. not only hurts an individual but also undermines the football community's commitment to fairness, meritocracy, and the spirit of fair play."

Following the denial of his entry into the U.S., FIFA has decided to remove Artan from the World Cup officiating list.

A FIFA spokesperson told AFP, "As referee Artan has been denied entry to the U.S., he will not be able to officiate matches at the 2026 World Cup. FIFA cannot influence the decisions of the U.S. government; the approval of entry is the sovereign right of the United States," the spokesperson added, taking a step back.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.