Somali referee Omar Artan is denied US entry over security concerns, ruling him out of 2026 World Cup officiating duties

Somali referee Omar Artan, a 34-year-old FIFA match official, has been denied entry into the United States in a decision that has ruled him out of officiating at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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Omar Artan World Cup US Entry Denial was confirmed after US border authorities stopped the official at Miami International Airport, despite him holding a diplomatic passport and a valid single-entry visa.

Artan had been selected as one of 52 match officials for the tournament and was poised to become the first referee from Somalia to take charge of matches at a World Cup finals, marking what would have been a historic milestone in his career.

However, his journey ended abruptly following additional screening by US Customs and Border Protection officers, who reportedly uncovered information they deemed incompatible with entry requirements.

A US official, speaking to the BBC, stated that the referee was found to have “derogatory information,” including alleged associations with suspected members of terrorist organisations, making him inadmissible under US immigration law.

The official added that Artan was refused entry and processed for expedited removal under relevant provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act, with authorities insisting the decision was taken on security grounds.

Omar Artan World Cup US Entry Denial has effectively ended his involvement in the tournament, as all referees selected for the competition are required to be based in Florida for training and preparation before the event begins.

Artan is reported to have undergone an 11-hour immigration interview before being detained and later placed on a return flight out of the United States.

He has denied any knowledge of alleged militant links when questioned by The New York Times.

The decision was defended by Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House World Cup Task Force, who said US Customs and Border Protection had made the correct judgment based on security considerations.

Following his return to Somalia, Artan was received at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport by government officials, football representatives and supporters.

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The case comes amid broader US travel restrictions affecting several countries, including Somalia, as part of heightened immigration and security screening policies linked to the tournament preparations.