Disappointed Artan: World Cup dream shattered after entry denied

Omar Artan, a distinguished Somali referee, has expressed profound disappointment after his dream of officiating at the World Cup was dashed when he was denied entry into the United States. Artan, who was recognized as the African Referee of the Year in 2025 by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), found himself removed from the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) list of match officials. His exclusion came after he was prevented from entering the U.S. upon his arrival in Miami last Saturday.

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I am very disappointed. I am just a referee trying to fulfill my dream, my biggest dream in life to be at the World Cup.

Somalia is among several nations subject to travel restrictions implemented under the administration of President Donald Trump as part of stricter immigration measures. "I am very disappointed. I am just a referee trying to fulfill my dream, my biggest dream in life to be at the World Cup," Artan told the New York Times. He recounted undergoing an 11-hour interrogation by border officials before being taken to a detention cell, held for several more hours, and then sent back to Istanbul, despite possessing all necessary documents and a valid visa.

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I have all the necessary documents. I have a valid visa.

FIFA clarified that the global football governing body lacks the authority to influence such entry decisions, as visa and admission matters for host countries fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. government. "As with previous FIFA tournaments, the host country's government has absolute power to determine who receives a visa and is allowed to enter their country," a FIFA spokesperson stated. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials confirmed that Artan was denied entry following a routine screening. "He underwent additional screening, which is also part of the normal CBP process when officers need to verify information or determine admissibility," a CBP statement read. "After screening, he, a FIFA World Cup referee, was found inadmissible to enter the country based on security assessment factors and was subsequently denied entry into the U.S."

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As with previous FIFA tournaments, the host country's government has absolute power to determine who receives a visa and is allowed to enter their country.