Somali referee Omar Artan denied entry to the United States for World Cup 2026, expresses disappointment
via SeneNews2 min read
Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the United States on Saturday, stated on Tuesday to the New York Times that he does not know why he was refused entry, lamenting that "the biggest dream of his life" was shattered. Artan, 34, was designated referee of the year by the Confederation of African Football in 2025 and was set to be the first Somali referee to officiate at a World Cup final phase. He said he had the correct documents and visa, and showed FIFA documents and career photos to immigration officers. Artan reported being questioned for eleven hours before being held in a detention cell for several hours, then put on a return flight to Istanbul without being told the reasons for the denial. He believes the issue might be related to his country, as Somalia is among several nations whose citizens face travel restrictions to the United States under the Donald Trump administration. U.S. Customs and Border Protection CBP stated that on June 6, a Somali national arrived at Miami International Airport from Istanbul and, following additional inspection, was deemed inadmissible due to "background check issues" and denied entry. The incident has caused outrage in Somalia, with the Ministry of Youth and Sports defending Artan's "integrity" and regretting that his expulsion could not be reversed despite "intense diplomatic efforts and negotiations." FIFA stated it cannot intervene in host countries' immigration procedures.
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