U.S. confirms denial of entry to Somali referee for World Cup
By Ali HarbTuesday June 9, 2026
Referee Omar Artan signals a penalty during the CAF Champions League final in in Rabat, Morocco, on May 24
Washington has barred a leading Somali referee from entering the United States just as he was preparing for the FIFA World Cup, intensifying scrutiny of American travel restrictions and their possible effect on the tournament.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told Al Jazeera on Monday that Omar Artan was stopped after landing in South Florida on Saturday.
Artan, who is listed…