Somali referee denied US entry for World Cup

Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan, poised to become the first from his nation to officiate at the World Cup finals, has been denied entry into the United States. The situation unfolded at Miami International Airport, with the senior advisor to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ciise Aden Abshir, confirming Artan's barring.

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Omar Artan is among Africa’s most respected referees and deserves the support of the entire football community.

Abshir, who is also a former national team captain, expressed strong disapproval of the decision. He stated that Artan possessed a valid visa for the U.S. and 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 told AFP.

Artan was among the 52 referees chosen by FIFA for the upcoming World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. He has been a fixture in the Somali national football league since becoming a FIFA referee in 2018. His officiating experience includes the 2023 African Cup of Nations finals in Algeria, and he was recognized as the Confederation of African Football's men's referee of the year in 2025.

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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.

Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had previously lauded Artan in April for making history as the first Somali selected for the World Cup finals. The president commended Artan's "effort, professionalism, and integrity," calling him a "symbol of inspiration for the new generation of Somalis."

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I commend the effort, professionalism, and integrity shown by referee Omar, as he has become a symbol of inspiration for the new generation of Somalis.