Zurich, Switzerland – FIFA issued an official statement announcing the exclusion of Somali referee Omar Artan from officiating matches at the 2026 World Cup. This came after he was barred from entering the United States.
Ertan had arrived at Miami International Airport earlier today. US immigration authorities subsequently denied him entry and returned him to Istanbul. The reasons for this decision have not been officially disclosed.
FIFA explained that the Somali referee will not be able to join the preparatory camp for the tournament’s referees. He will also not officiate any World Cup matches, as he was unable to enter the United States.
The International Federation confirmed in its statement that it has no authority regarding immigration procedures or visa issuance. It noted that these matters are entirely subject to the laws and sovereign decisions of the host countries.
The reason for referee Artan’s exclusion from the World Cup
The incident comes amid restrictions imposed on citizens of certain countries, including Somalia, as part of US travel policies.
For his part, an official at the Somali Ministry of Sports revealed that Artan had met all the travel requirements and possessed valid official documents. He also had a diplomatic passport, which was issued to facilitate his travel after he had previously faced difficulties obtaining a visa.
The Somali referee accepted the decision, expressing his gratitude to FIFA and the Confederation of African Football for their support. He also affirmed his intention to continue his refereeing career and focus on upcoming commitments.
Artan is considered one of the most prominent African referees in recent years, having joined FIFA’s list of referees in 2018. He has officiated numerous continental matches before being selected as one of 52 referees to officiate at the 2026 World Cup.
The Somali referee was also crowned with the Best Referee in Africa award for 2025, in recognition of his outstanding performances on the continental stage.
This was not the first such incident during the current tournament. Ayman Hussein, the captain of the Iraqi national team, was previously subjected to several hours of questioning upon his arrival in the United States before being allowed to enter and continue playing with his national team.
