A Somali referee poised to make history at the World Cup has been denied entry to the United States and subsequently removed from the tournament roster by FIFA, sparking concerns over travel restrictions.
Omar Artan was set to become the first referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup, having been named to FIFA’s final list two months ago. Recognized as one of Africa’s top referees, he was named the continent’s best male referee in 2025.
He was denied entry at Miami International Airport on Saturday due to “vetting concerns,” U.S. Customs and Border Protection stated, without elaborating on the specifics. This denial occurred despite Artan having been issued a visa to travel to the U.S. last week, as confirmed by the Somalia Embassy in Kenya, which processed it.
Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, commented Tuesday that the referee was denied admittance for “very good reason” but also declined to provide further details.
The decision to deny a FIFA-appointed match official permission to enter a World Cup host country is highly unusual. Artan had been scheduled to join other World Cup referees at their training base in Miami.
Somalia is among nearly 40 countries subjected to new travel restrictions under the Trump administration’s strict crackdown on immigration. This situation has raised fears that fans, players, and officials from these nations — many of them African — could face similar denials for the World Cup, even with valid visas.
Questioned for hours at airport
A Somali football referee, Artan, was denied entry into the United States after an extensive 11-hour interrogation at Miami airport, jeopardizing his opportunity to officiate at the upcoming World Cup.
Border officials subjected Artan to questioning regarding his reasons for traveling to the U.S., as well as probing into Somali politics and the al-Shabab militant group, which is engaged in an insurgency against the government there. Despite presenting FIFA documentation and photographs from his refereeing career, he was ultimately placed in a holding cell before being sent back on a flight to Istanbul, Turkey, from where he had taken his connecting journey.
“I think that they have a problem with my country,” Artan told The New York Times, asserting that he possessed all the necessary documents and a valid visa. He further stated that he was not provided with a reason for the refusal of entry, according to the Times.
In response, the Somalia Youth and Sports Ministry confirmed on Tuesday that its embassy in the U.S. is actively working to resolve the issue, aiming to ensure Artan can referee at the World Cup, which is scheduled to open on Thursday. Isse Aden Abshir, a senior adviser at the Somalia sports ministry, suggested to The Associated Press that the denial of entry might be linked to broader travel restrictions affecting Somalia, rather than any specific accusation leveled against Artan.
Artan subjected to ‘additional inspection’
A FIFA World Cup referee was denied entry into the United States due to “vetting concerns,” Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced in a statement Monday. The individual, identified as Artan, underwent “additional inspection” upon arrival, which CBP described as “a routine part of CBP’s inspection process when officers need to verify information or determine admissibility.”
“Following inspection, the traveler, a referee for the FIFA World Cup, was determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns and was denied entry,” CBP confirmed.
The agency underscored that all individuals seeking entry into the U.S., including World Cup players, coaches, and staff, are subject to CBP inspection and vetting. “Admissibility determinations are made on a case-by-case basis using law enforcement, national security, and immigration information available at the time of inspection,” the statement clarified, adding that CBP officers “have the authority to question travelers, conduct inspections, and determine admissibility consistent with U.S. law.”
FIFA drops ref from World Cup
FIFA said it was not involved in the immigration processes and was informed by U.S. authorities that Artan’s “status will not be changed at present.” It said Artan wouldn’t be able to train and officiate at the World Cup.
“In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country,” FIFA said.
Still, FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino built close ties to U.S. President Donald Trump’s government as the U.S. prepared to co-host with Mexico and Canada and had publicly stressed how that would help the World Cup run smoothly.
Infantino did not immediately comment on the issue, while FIFA released a statement on behalf of Artan.
“Despite the circumstances, I am in a positive mood and I am focused on the next challenges in my refereeing career,” Artan said in the statement.
He was to make history for Somalia
Artan was praised as one of Africa’s best referees and was the ref for the decisive leg of the African Champions League final last month — Africa’s biggest club soccer game.
He spoke in a recent interview with the Al Jazeera TV network about how he was honored to be selected as the first Somali to referee at the World Cup and how he faced challenges in his conflict-torn country in East Africa, including sometimes having to change his route to training because of explosions in the streets of the capital, Mogadishu.
“You cannot give up as a referee,” Artan said in the interview. This (going to the World Cup) was my big, big target and I’m really excited.”
