US denies entry to Somali referee selected for 2026 World Cup

Omar Abdulkadir Artan, a Somali referee selected to officiate at the 2026 World Cup finals, has been denied entry into the United States, according to a Somali official. The reasons for the expulsion remain unclear, but Ciise Aden Abshir, a senior advisor to Somalia's Ministry of Youth and Sports, confirmed that Artan possessed a valid visa.

Abshir lamented the decision, describing Omar Artan as "among the most respected referees in Africa." He stated that denying him entry and preventing him from officiating "harms not only his person but also undermines football's commitment to equity, merit, and the spirit of fair play." The former captain of the Somali national team urged the football community to support Artan during this difficult time.

Artan, 34, was set to be the first Somali referee to officiate in a World Cup final tournament. He was among the 52 referees chosen for the event, which will be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States in June and July. He has been a FIFA-listed referee since 2018, officiates in the Somali league, and was named best referee of the year by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in 2025.

Somalia has previously been targeted by travel restrictions. Former U.S. President Donald Trump had labeled the country "rotten" and expressed intentions to end special protections for Somali citizens against expulsion. This incident involving Artan adds a layer of concern regarding international participation and potential biases in sporting events.