Omar Abdulkadir Artan, the Somali referee who was on course to become the first official from Somalia to officiate at a FIFA World Cup, has been removed from the tournament after being denied entry into the United States.
Artan, who was named CAF Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025, was reportedly stopped by immigration officials upon arrival at Miami International Airport and later sent back. He is currently in Turkey.
Although US authorities have not publicly disclosed the reason for the decision, Somalia is among the countries affected by travel restrictions introduced under President Donald Trump’s administration.
In a statement, FIFA confirmed that Artan will no longer participate in the 2026 World Cup, stating that visa approvals and immigration matters are solely determined by host nations. The football governing body added that it had been informed that his immigration status would not be changed at this time.
Despite the setback, Artan expressed gratitude to FIFA and CAF for their support, saying he remains focused on his future in refereeing. He also wished fellow match officials success at the tournament and hopes to return for future international competitions.
The Somali Football Federation has reportedly contacted FIFA to seek clarification over the incident.
Artan was one of 52 referees selected by FIFA for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. He became a FIFA referee in 2018 and has officiated at major African football competitions, including the Africa Cup of Nations.
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