3 min learnUp to date: Jun 9, 2026 09:53 AM IST
Omar Abdulkadir Artan arrived at Miami Worldwide Airport on Saturday on a flight from Istanbul. He was certainly one of 52 referees chosen by FIFA to officiate on the World Cup. He was set to develop into the primary Somali to referee a World Cup match. US Customs and Border Safety subjected him to further inspection and decided he was inadmissible attributable to vetting considerations. He was placed on a flight again to Istanbul.
FIFA confirmed on Monday that Artan might be unable to coach or officiate on the World Cup 2026. “FIFA is just not concerned in host nation immigration processes, together with visa adjudications,” a spokesperson stated. “Consistent with earlier FIFA occasions, a number authorities finally determines who receives a visa and who’s admitted into their nation.”
A senior adviser to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports activities confirmed Artan had been travelling with legitimate paperwork. A Somali embassy official stated he had been issued a diplomatic passport to assist facilitate journey after earlier visa-related difficulties.
Somalia is on President Donald Trump’s journey ban record. Trump sparked outrage final yr when he known as Somali immigrants in the USA “rubbish”. There are exemptions to the journey ban itemizing for World Cup athletes and workers, however these exemptions didn’t apply to Artan.
Artan was named Africa’s referee of the yr by the Confederation of African Soccer in 2025 and had officiated on the Africa Cup of Nations. In an interview earlier this yr he stated it was an honour to seem on soccer’s largest stage regardless of the hardships in Somalia. “At occasions, I’ve needed to change my path to my native stadium due to explosions within the nation,” he stated. “You can’t hand over as a referee. It’s important to have a goal.”
In a press release on Monday, Artan stated: “Regardless of the circumstances, I’m in a optimistic temper and I’m targeted on the subsequent challenges in my refereeing profession. I wish to thank the soccer household for his or her messages and need my colleagues all the very best success through the World Cup.”
“Denying him entry to the USA and stopping him from officiating scheduled matches harms not solely him personally but in addition undermines soccer’s dedication to equity, advantage, and the spirit of truthful play,” stated Ciise Aden Abshir, a senior adviser to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports activities and a former nationwide staff captain.
The incident is the newest controversy over US immigration coverage and the World Cup. Earlier this yr, visa confirmations for Iranian athletes arrived solely within the remaining week earlier than the event. The US has additionally declined to provide assurances that immigration brokers is not going to conduct raids close to stadiums throughout matches.
The World Cup opens on June 11.