WASHINGTON – The United States has blocked entry to a high-profile Somali referee chosen for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, intensifying concerns that Washington’s travel rules could complicate the build-up to football’s biggest event.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said Omar Artan was refused admission even though he held a valid visa. Artan landed at Miami International Airport in South Florida on Saturday, only to be stopped after security screening and turned away from the country.
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A DHS spokesperson said Artan, regarded as one of Africa’s leading referees, was found inadmissible after a vetting process. No additional explanation was provided.
The case has attracted wide attention because Artan had been named among FIFA’s World Cup match officials and was set to become the first Somali referee to take charge at the tournament.
Somalia is among the countries affected by U.S. travel restrictions introduced under President Donald Trump, whose comments about Somalia and Somali immigrants have long stirred controversy.
Earlier this year, Artan told Al Jazeera in an interview in Mogadishu that it would be an “honour” to appear on football’s brightest stage, despite the difficulties facing his homeland.
The denial of entry has sharpened scrutiny of U.S. immigration policy ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which the United States will co-host with Mexico and Canada.
FIFA has not publicly addressed the matter, and the Somali government has also stayed quiet, even as concern grows among Somali sports officials and supporters who view Artan’s selection as a milestone for the country.
The incident adds to a series of travel-related worries tied to the tournament, prompting questions about whether athletes, officials and other accredited participants from restricted countries could encounter similar barriers before kickoff.
AXADLETM
