Somali referee Omar Artan dropped from World Cup officiating

• Governing body says it cannot override host-country border policies
• Artan was set to become the first Somali referee at a men's World Cup

Africa's top-rated football official will miss the 2026 World Cup after United States customs authorities blocked him from entering the country.

The governing body confirmed that Omar Abdulkadir Artan was removed from the tournament roster after immigration officers turned him back at Miami International Airport on Saturday.

The 34-year-old official, who arrived on a flight from Istanbul, was forced to board a return flight to Turkey following an intensive secondary screening by border personnel.

The decision strips Artan of a historic milestone. He was set to become the first person from Somalia to referee a match at a men's World Cup finals.

FIFA defers to host country sovereignty

A FIFA spokesperson confirmed Tuesday that Artan will be unable to participate in official training sessions or oversee matches during the tournament.

The organization distanced itself from the decision, noting that it holds no legal jurisdiction over domestic immigration rulings.

"FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr. Artan's status will not be changed at present," the governing body said in an official statement. "In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country."

The strict border enforcement undercuts previous assurances from FIFA leadership.

In 2025, FIFA President Gianni Infantino explicitly stated that all international participants and spectators would be welcomed across the three host nations of the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Vetting concerns 

United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirmed that Artan held a visa but was flagged for additional screening upon arrival.

Somalia remains on the United States travel restriction list, which mandates rigorous vetting procedures for incoming nationals.

"Following inspection, the traveler, a referee for the FIFA World Cup, was determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns and was denied entry," CBP stated.

Federal officials declined to expand on the specific nature of the security concerns, citing privacy and standard administrative protocols.

The denial has drawn sharp condemnation from sports officials.

Ciise Aden Abshir, a senior advisor to Somalia's Ministry of Youth and Sports, told AFP that Artan earned his position through merit after being named the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Referee of the Year in 2025.

Abshir argued that blocking a highly respected official harms the personal career of the referee while undermining football's global commitment to fairness.

Artan released a statement through FIFA on Tuesday, expressing gratitude to the international football community while looking ahead to his future career.

"I want to thank the football family for their messages and wish my colleagues all the best success during the World Cup," Artan said. "I look forward to joining them again in future competitions."