Somali referee Omar Artan denied entry into the USA for FIFA World Cup

Regarded as one of Africa’s top soccer referees, the respected Omar Artan unfortunately did not find entry into the USA for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Despite his impressive CV, Artan won’t be officiating in the upcoming FIFA World Cup after U.S. immigration authorities denied him entry into the country.

Customs and Border Protection shared in a statement Monday, Jun. 8, 2026, that a Somali World Cup referee arrived at Miami International Airport from Istanbul, Turkey, on Jun. 6, 2026, and was barred from entry following additional routine inspection. While the statement did not mention Artan by name, he is the only Somalian among the 52 FIFA-handpicked referees for the tournament.

“On June 6, a Somali national arrived at Miami International Airport from Istanbul International Airport. During processing, the traveler underwent additional inspection, a routine part of CBP’s inspection process when officers need to verify information or determine admissibility. Following inspection, the traveler, a referee for the FIFA World Cup, was determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns and was denied entry. All travelers seeking entry into the United States, including athletes, coaches, and staff, are subject to CBP inspection and vetting,” the statement read.

It is currently unclear why the USA’s immigration authorities denied Artan entry; he has now flown back to Istanbul. Later, a government official in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, told Agence France-Presse that Artan even held a valid U.S. visa.

Apart from Somalia, Iranian players and officials also had issues regarding their attendance in the USA amid the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict. In addition to these, two members of Iraq’s World Cup delegation, player Aymen Hussein and team photographer Talal Salah were detained at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. While Hussein was questioned for seven hours and allowed entry, Salah was denied entry and sent back home.

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