United States Deny Entry To Somali FIFA World Cup Referee Over 'Terror' Concerns

Last Updated:June 10, 2026, 21:30 IST

Donald Trump administration defends denying Somali FIFA referee Omar Artan US entry over suspected terror ties.

The Donald Trump administration has claimed that Somali FIFA World Cup referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the United States because of ‘suspected’ terror ties, hours after the latter was given a hero’s welcome in his country, having been refused entry to the US.

Artan was among the 52 match officials selected by FIFA for this summer’s World Cup. He arrived in Miami last weekend to take part in a preparatory training camp in Florida alongside fellow referees.

Artan told The New York Times on Tuesday that he had travelled to the United States with all the required documentation, including a valid visa and official FIFA accreditation as a World Cup match official.

The problem appears to have arisen during the immigration process upon arrival in the United States. Artan said that he was questioned by border officials at Miami International Airport for more than 11 hours before being placed in a holding cell and deported to Istanbul, Turkey, the city from which he had started his journey.

“Upon further inspection by CBP, derogatory information, including association with suspected members of terror organisations, was discovered, making the traveller ineligible for admission to the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act," a senior administration official from the White House said while speaking to The Athletic.

“The traveller was refused admission and given immigration forms that provide the section of law used to complete an expedited removal under 8235 of the INA. President Trump’s administration will not allow any security threat to enter our country, full stop," the official added.

The Athletic requested that the White House provide details regarding the alleged links attributed to Artan, including the identity of the specific terrorist organisation involved, but didn’t receive a response to those questions.

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