MIAMI — Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry into the United States despite holding a valid visa and FIFA accreditation for the 2026 World Cup, preventing him from becoming the first Somali official to referee at the men's tournament, according to FIFA and U.S. authorities.
FIFA confirmed that Artan would be unable to participate in the competition after U.S. immigration officials refused him admission on arrival at Miami International Airport. The governing body said it does not control host-country immigration procedures or visa decisions and had been informed that Artan's status would not change, leaving him unable to train or officiate at the tournament.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said a Somali national arriving from Istanbul underwent additional inspection before being found inadmissible because of unspecified "vetting concerns." The agency said all travelers seeking entry to the United States, including athletes, coaches and tournament personnel, are subject to inspection and admissibility determinations based on immigration, law enforcement and national security information available at the time.
Artan said he had traveled with the required documentation, including a valid U.S. visa and FIFA credentials, but was questioned for about 11 hours before being denied entry and returned to Istanbul. He said he remained focused on continuing his refereeing career despite the setback.
The decision came after the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump implemented expanded travel restrictions affecting several countries, including Somalia. While the CBP did not specify whether the policy directly led to Artan's exclusion, officials cited individual vetting concerns rather than the existence of a visa alone. Under U.S. immigration law, possession of a valid visa does not guarantee admission at a port of entry.
Artan, 34, was selected by FIFA among the match officials for the expanded 48-team World Cup and had been recognized by the Confederation of African Football as its 2025 Men's Referee of the Year. His appointment had marked a milestone for Somali football, with Somali officials previously hailing his selection as an inspiration for the country's young athletes.
The incident prompted criticism from some football figures and renewed scrutiny of immigration procedures affecting international sporting events hosted by the United States. FIFA, however, reiterated that immigration decisions remain the responsibility of the host nation's authorities and said no change had been made to Artan's status, leaving him out of the tournament.
