FIFA World Cup-Bound Somali Referee Omar Artan Denied US Visa Entry: Report

Last Updated:June 08, 2026, 21:55 IST

Omar Artan, first Somali FIFA World Cup referee, denied US entry under Donald Trump era travel ban, raising questions over fairness.

Somali referee Omar Artan, who was all set to be the first from his nation to officiate at the upcoming FIFA World Cup, was denied entry to the United States, according to a report in AFP.

The reason behind Artan being denied entry at Miami International Airport wasn’t clear. But Somalia is among multiple nations included in a travel ban introduced by the administration of Donald Trump.

The US has halted visa processing and immigration applications for Somali nationals, citing national security concerns, the presence of active terrorist groups and Somalia’s limited capacity to vet travellers or issue secure identification documents.

“Omar Artan is among Africa’s most respected referees and deserves the support of the entire football community," Ciise Aden Abshir, a senior advisor to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and a former national team skipper, said while speaking to AFP.

As per Abshir, Artan held a valid US visa but was nevertheless denied entry. He has since returned to Istanbul, where he had been residing.

“Denying him entry to the United States and preventing him from officiating scheduled matches harms not only him personally but also undermines football’s commitment to fairness, merit and the spirit of fair play," Abshir said.

Artan was one of 52 referees selected by FIFA to officiate at the World Cup, scheduled to be held across Canada, Mexico and the United States in June and July. He has been officiating in the Somali national football league championships since he became a FIFA referee in 2018.

Artan also officiated at the 2023 African Cup of Nations finals in Algeria and was named the Confederation of African Football’s Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025.

Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud lauded Artan in April after he made history as the first Somali to be selected to officiate at the FIFA World Cup finals.

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