Somalia seeks solution after U.S. denies entry to referee Omar Artan
The ministry said it is working with relevant agencies, describing Artan as a symbol of the progress made by Somali football in recent years.
Tuesday June 9, 2026
Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports voiced deep regret Tuesday after Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was barred from entering the United States just as he was expected to take part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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In a statement, the ministry said the Somali government is closely following Artan’s case and is pursuing diplomatic channels in search of a swift resolution.
The ministry said it is working with relevant agencies, describing Artan as a symbol of the progress made by Somali football in recent years.
The comments followed Monday’s confirmation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that Artan was denied entry after arriving in South Florida on Saturday.
A DHS spokesperson said Artan was “determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns and was denied entry,” though no further explanation was given, according to Al Jazeera.
His arrival in the United States indicates that he likely held a valid visa before traveling, but final authority over admission still rests with U.S. border officials.
FIFA said Monday that Artan would not be able to train or officiate at the World Cup after being refused entry.
“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,” a FIFA spokesperson said.
Artan is among the 52 referees selected by FIFA for the 2026 World Cup, which will be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico. He had been set to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a World Cup.
The decision has sparked concern in Somalia and among football fans, who worry about the effect of U.S. travel restrictions on Somali nationals and their access to major international events.
Somalia is among the countries subject to U.S. travel restrictions imposed under President Donald Trump. Those limits have curtailed entry for Somali nationals, although some diplomatic and official travel may qualify for exemptions.
Artan is widely considered one of Africa’s leading referees and was recently honored as Africa’s best referee for 2025 at the CAF Awards in Rabat, Morocco.
