5 things to know about Somali referee Omar Artan denied US entry

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By Adegboyega Adeleye

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With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to commence this week, one of the tournament’s biggest off-field controversies involves Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry into the United States despite being selected to officiate at football’s biggest event.

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Artan was set to make history as the first Somali referee to officiate at a FIFA World Cup before his dream was cut short by immigration authorities.

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For Artan, the decision means missing what he described as the biggest opportunity of his career while for FIFA, it represents another unwanted controversy ahead of the first 48-team World Cup in history.

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Here are five key things to know about the Somali referee denied US entry:

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1. He was set to become the first Somali referee at a World Cup

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Artan’s selection by FIFA was regarded as a landmark achievement for Somali football and African refereeing.

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The 34-year-old was among the 52 referees chosen for the 2026 World Cup and would have become the first Somali official to take charge of a match at the tournament.

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2. He was denied entry despite holding a valid visa

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According to Artan and Somali officials, the referee travelled with valid documentation, including a visa issued for the World Cup.

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However, after arriving at Miami International Airport, he was subjected to lengthy immigration checks before being denied entry and returned to Istanbul, Turkey. US authorities later cited unspecified “vetting concerns” but did not publicly provide detailed reasons.

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3. FIFA has removed him from the World Cup

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World football governing body FIFA confirmed that Artan will not officiate at the tournament.

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FIFA said it does not control immigration decisions made by host countries and had been informed that his status would not be changed, effectively ending his World Cup participation before the competition begins.

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4. Artan is one of Africa’s most respected referees

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The Somali official is not an unknown figure in international football.

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He became a FIFA-listed referee in 2018, has officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations and CAF Champions League, and was named CAF Men’s Referee of the Year for 2025. His rise has been widely celebrated across Africa as a symbol of Somalia’s growing presence in international football.

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5. His case has added to growing World Cup controversy

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Artan’s exclusion comes amid wider concerns surrounding travel, visa and access issues ahead of the World Cup.

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Iran recently complained that its supporters’ ticket allocation had been revoked, while questions have also been raised about entry restrictions affecting officials and tournament personnel. The latest incident has intensified debate about the organisation of the competition just days before kick-off.

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