Omar Artan, the Somalian referee who was scheduled to work the and was , was not allowed in on account of “affiliation with suspected members of terror organizations,” in response to a U.S. official.
In keeping with the , U.S. Customs and Border Safety decided that Artan was to “be inadmissible on account of vetting considerations and was denied entry.”
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On Tuesday, wouldn’t be allowed to enter the U.S. to work the event, which begins on Thursday, and that the group was unable to combat the ruling.
“FIFA can verify that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan might be unable to coach and officiate on the FIFA World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into america,” the assertion stated. “FIFA shouldn’t be concerned in host nation immigration processes, together with visa adjudications, and has been knowledgeable by authorities that Mr. Artan’s standing won’t be modified at current. Consistent with earlier FIFA occasions, a number authorities in the end determines who receives a visa and who’s admitted into their nation.”
Underneath President Donald Trump, Somalia is one among practically 40 nations whose residents are unable to enter the U.S. as a part of the administration’s crackdown on immigration.
This week, Andrew Giuliani, the chief director of the White Home FIFA Job Pressure, stated that being denied entry, however didn’t elaborate.
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The 34-year-old Artan arrived in Mogadishu on Wednesday and was welcomed by supporters and authorities officers.
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who had been anticipated to officiate at matches through the 2026 FIFA World Cup however was denied entry to america, is acquired as he arrives on the Aden Abdulle Osman Worldwide Airport in Mogadishu, Somalia June 10, 2026. REUTERS/Feisal Omar
(REUTERS / REUTERS)
“I promise you, God prepared, that I’ll attend the following one,” stated Artan, who was named Africa’s greatest male referee in 2025. “I would like the Somali public to take consolation on this and stay assured.”
Artan reportedly arrived within the U.S. on Saturday to participate in a coaching hub for all World Cup referees. That hub, which is positioned in Miami, was organized by referees’ chief Pierluigi Collina. Any official who takes half within the event is required to remain at that hub for “coaching, preparation and safety.” Due to that requirement, Artan can not keep outdoors the U.S. and solely officiate video games in Mexico and Canada.
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Artan stated he was “” in regards to the resolution in a press release to The Athletic. He stated he had the “proper papers” and visa and confirmed border brokers documentation of his profession as a FIFA referee.
“I had the best papers and the whole lot. I had the best visa,” Mr. Artan stated, including that he had additionally confirmed documentation from FIFA in addition to images of his profession of over a decade as knowledgeable referee. Border officers additionally checked on-line materials detailing Mr. Artan’s profession, he stated.
Artan was set to develop into the primary referee from Somalia to work a World Cup after he was included within the .