World Cup referee from Somalia denied entry to US

Omar Artan, a Somali referee chosen to officiate at the upcoming World Cup, has been denied entry into the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed that Artan was stopped at Miami International Airport for "additional inspection" and subsequently deemed inadmissible due to "vetting concerns." The agency did not specify the nature of these concerns.

Artan was set to become the first person from Somalia to officiate a World Cup match. He was named Africa's best referee in 2025 and had previously worked the Africa Cup of Nations in 2023. Despite reportedly holding a valid visa and a diplomatic passport, these documents were insufficient for entry.

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Following inspection, the traveler, a referee for the FIFA World Cup, was determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns and was denied entry.

Somalia has been on the United States' list of "fully suspended" countries for travel since June 9, 2025. While the U.S. government can grant exceptions, Artan's case did not result in one. This situation has drawn criticism from Somalia's Ministry of Youth and Sports. Ciise Aden Abshir, a senior adviser, stated that denying Artan entry "harms not only him personally but also undermines football's commitment to fairness, merit, and the spirit of fair play."

This incident marks another travel disruption for individuals seeking to enter the U.S. for the World Cup. Earlier this year, Iran's soccer federation reported that 14 officials and staff members were refused visas, which they called "vindictive behavior" following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.

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