The United States has denied entry to a Somali referee who arrived in the country over the weekend to officiate World Cup soccer matches, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol said Monday.
The Somali national arrived at Miami International Airport from Istanbul International Airport on Saturday and was deemed inadmissible due to screening concerns and was denied entry, CBP said in a statement, without specifying what those concerns were.
The CBP did not name the Somali national, but according to media reports he was Omar Artan, an award-winning referee who had a valid visa and was expected to be the first from his country to officiate at the World Cup.
The Somali embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A FIFA spokesperson confirmed in a statement that Artan, who was denied entry to the United States after arriving at Miami International Airport, would play no role in the World Cup.
“FIFA can confirm that referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will not be able to train and officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being refused entry to the United States,” a FIFA spokesperson said. AFP.
FIFA stressed that it was powerless to influence the decision, which it said was the exclusive preserve of the United States, co-hosts of the tournament.
“FIFA is not involved in the host country’s immigration processes, including visa applications, and has been informed by the authorities that Mr Artan’s status will not be changed at this time,” the spokesperson said.
“As with previous FIFA events, it is the host government that ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted to their country.”
Artan was among 52 referees announced by FIFA to officiate at the World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
He has officiated in the Somali National Football League championships since becoming a FIFA referee in 2018.
He also officiated at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Algeria, and in 2025 he was named Male Referee of the Year by the Confederation of African Football.
The Trump administration’s strict immigration policies have been a concern for World Cup participants, and last year Washington imposed a sweeping travel ban on citizens of 12 countries, including Somalia.
