FIFA CONFIRMS OMAR ARTAN’S WORLD CUP EXIT FOLLOWING US TRAVEL BAN
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Agency Report
Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan has been ruled out of officiating at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being denied entry into the United States, FIFA confirmed on Monday.
According to a statement from world football’s governing body, Artan was refused admission upon arrival at Miami International Airport on Saturday and will no longer participate in the tournament. His exclusion means he will miss the opportunity to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a World Cup.
“FIFA can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States,” a FIFA spokesperson told AFP.
FIFA stressed that it had no authority over immigration decisions, noting that visa approvals and entry permissions are determined solely by host nations.
“FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan’s status will not be changed at present,” the spokesperson said.
The organisation added that, as with previous tournaments, the host government retains the final say on who is granted a visa and allowed into the country.
A spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said Artan was denied entry following routine screening procedures.
“During processing, the traveler underwent additional inspection, a routine part of CBP’s inspection process when officers need to verify information or determine admissibility,” the spokesperson said.
“Following inspection, the traveler, a referee for the FIFA World Cup, was determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns and was denied entry.”
Somalia is among several countries affected by travel restrictions introduced under U.S. President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
Reacting to the development, Artan said he remained focused on his future in football officiating.
“Despite the circumstances, I am in a positive mood and focused on the next challenges in my refereeing career,” he said.
“I want to thank the football family for their messages and wish my colleagues every success during the World Cup. I look forward to joining them again in future competitions.”
Earlier, a government adviser in Mogadishu told AFP that Artan possessed a valid U.S. visa before travelling. Following the denial of entry, he reportedly returned to Istanbul.
Ciise Aden Abshir, a senior adviser to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and a former national team captain, described the decision as a setback for both the referee and the sport.
“Omar Artan is among Africa’s most respected referees and deserves the support of the entire football community,” Abshir said.
“Denying him entry to the United States and preventing him from officiating scheduled matches harms not only him personally but also undermines football’s commitment to fairness, merit and the spirit of fair play.”
Artan was one of 52 referees selected by FIFA for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. A FIFA referee since 2018, he has officiated in Somalia’s top-flight league and handled matches at the most recent Africa Cup of Nations.
In 2025, the Confederation of African Football named him Men’s Referee of the Year.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had praised Artan in April after his historic World Cup appointment, describing him as “a symbol of inspiration for the new generation of Somalis” and commending his professionalism, integrity and dedication to the game.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to kick off on Thursday.
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