Somali referee Omar Artan has been denied entry to the United States ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Artan was stopped at Miami International Airport on June 8, 2026, despite holding a valid US visa.
It is not clear why he was barred. But Somalia is on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump’s administration. The ban has affected citizens from several countries trying to enter the US.
Artan is one of Africa’s top referees and was scheduled to officiate matches at the World Cup 2026. After being turned back, he flew to Istanbul where he has been staying.
Ciise Aden Abshir, senior advisor to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and former national team captain, condemned the decision.
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He told AFP that denying Artan entry harms the referee and goes against football’s values of fairness and merit. “Omar Artan deserves the support of the entire football community,” Abshir said.
The incident has raised concerns about how the travel ban could affect the World Cup 2026, which will be hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico. The tournament is set to feature 48 teams and 16 host cities. Football officials have not yet commented on whether Artan will be replaced or if FIFA will intervene.
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