Somali Referee Blocked from US – World Cup Dream Thrown Aside

Sat Jun 13 2026 11:28:57 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Omar Artan, the first Somali referee to be called for the 2026 World Cup, was denied entry to the U.S., forcing him to miss the finals.

Omar Artan, a former CAF award‑winning referee, was barred from entering the United States, which means he cannot attend the 2026 World Cup. The denial came while he was in transit to Miami, and no explanation was given by U.S. immigration officials. FIFA confirmed the ban and said Artan will miss the tournament, while the Somali Football Federation is demanding clarification. Despite the setback, Artan remains upbeat about his future in refereeing.

Omar Artan, the first Somali referee to be called for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, was denied entry to the United States at Miami International Airport.

The 2025 CAF men’s referee of the year is currently in Turkey, unable to travel to North America to officiate the tournament.

U.S. immigration officials have not released a reason, but Somalia is on a travel‑ban list that began during the Trump administration.

FIFA confirmed that Artan will miss the World Cup, stating it is out of its control to change immigration regulations.

A Somali embassy officer told Reuters that Artan had a valid diplomatic passport, and the Somali Sports Ministry is seeking an explanation.

Artan remained optimistic, saying he would keep his refereeing standards high and look forward to future competitions.

The incident underscores the growing impact of visa restrictions on global sporting events, as fans and players alike react to travel bans that can impede participation on the world stage.