Somali federation says referee Omar Artan was denied U.S. entry without reason
“We acknowledge the report and communication provided by FIFA regarding this matter, and we continue to maintain close contact with the relevant institutions and all parties involved, in order to obtain further information and a full understanding of...
Tuesday June 9, 2026
The United States has denied entry to Somali referee Omar Artan, blocking him from traveling to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. / AFP
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The Somali Football Federation said on Tuesday it was deeply disappointed after international referee Omar Artan was refused entry to the US, preventing him from taking part in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The federation said it had not been given any formal explanation for the decision, but urged restraint until the full circumstances are known.
“We acknowledge the report and communication provided by FIFA regarding this matter, and we continue to maintain close contact with the relevant institutions and all parties involved, in order to obtain further information and a full understanding of the circumstances surrounding this incident,” it said in a statement.
It also reiterated its backing for Artan, describing his rise as “a source of pride for Somalia, CECAFA (Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations) and African football.”
Eleven-hour immigration interview
Artan told The New York Times that he was subjected to an 11-hour immigration interview after landing at Miami International Airport, before being turned away by authorities.
“I had the right papers and everything. I had the right visa,” said Artan.
He said officials then placed him in a holding cell for several hours before putting him on a flight back to Istanbul.
“I am very, very disappointed,” he said. “I’m just simply a referee who’s trying to live his dream – the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup.”
‘Have a problem with my country’
Artan said no reason was offered for the refusal and suggested his nationality may have played a role.
“I think that they have a problem with my country,” he said.
Artan was due to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a FIFA World Cup.
He was recently named Africa’s Best Referee for 2025 at the CAF Awards in Morocco, organized by the Confederation of African Football.
Trump’s proclamation
A proclamation signed by US President Donald Trump on June 4, 2025, restricts the entry of Somali nationals into the country.
“The entry into the United States of nationals of Somalia as immigrants and nonimmigrants is hereby fully suspended,” it said.
