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US denies entry to Somali referee for World Cup, but FIFA and UEFA offer support
๐Ÿ‡ป๐Ÿ‡ณ Vietnam /Sports

US denies entry to Somali referee for World Cup, but FIFA and UEFA offer support

From Tuแป•i Trแบป · () Vietnamese

Translated from Vietnamese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the US for the 2026 World Cup due to unspecified security concerns.
  • Despite being unable to officiate, FIFA and UEFA confirmed Artan will receive his full World Cup 2026 remuneration and appointed him to the 2026 European Super Cup.
  • Artan, considered Somalia's best referee, was welcomed as a hero upon his return and vowed to pursue a World Cup 2030 appearance.

Somali referee Omar Artan, Africa's top official, faced a stunning setback when the United States denied him entry for the 2026 World Cup. Artan was en route to Miami for pre-tournament training when US Customs and Border Protection detained him for "security vetting concerns," ultimately refusing him entry. US authorities cited alleged links to individuals suspected of belonging to terrorist organizations, accusations Artan vehemently denies.

FIFA decided to maintain the same benefits for Artan to acknowledge his preparation and his official selection to the World Cup list.

โ€” SourceRegarding FIFA's decision to pay Omar Artan his full World Cup salary.

Despite this significant professional blow, FIFA and UEFA have shown strong support for the 34-year-old. FIFA confirmed Artan will receive his full World Cup 2026 salary, recognizing his preparation and official selection. This decision acknowledges the challenges faced by the referee and reaffirms his status within the sport.

Visa and entry permit issuance is the prerogative of the host country, which is beyond FIFA's ability to intervene.

โ€” FIFAExplaining FIFA's inability to override the US decision to deny Artan entry.

Adding to the support, UEFA has appointed Artan as the head referee for the 2026 European Super Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin praised Artan as an "experienced young referee," emphasizing football's role as a connector of people.

destiny

โ€” Omar ArtanDescribing the incident where he was denied entry to the US.

Artan, who was named Africa's best referee in 2025 and is a national hero in Somalia, returned to Mogadishu to a hero's welcome. He described the incident as "destiny" and thanked FIFA for their support. He encouraged young Somalis to pursue their dreams and expressed his determination to officiate at the 2030 World Cup.

a young but experienced referee

โ€” Aleksander CeferinDescribing Omar Artan.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tuแป•i Trแบป in Vietnamese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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