FIFA has confirmed that Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will not officiate at the 2026 World Cup after being denied entry into the United States just days before the tournament begins.
Artan, who was due to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a men’s World Cup, was stopped upon arrival at Miami International Airport despite reportedly holding a valid visa. US authorities later determined that he was inadmissible following additional screening procedures.
FIFA said it had no authority over immigration decisions made by host countries and confirmed that Artan would be unable to take part in training or officiate matches during the tournament.
The 34-year-old official was widely regarded as one of Africa’s top referees and was named the Confederation of African Football’s Best Male Referee for 2025. His appointment to the World Cup had been celebrated as a historic achievement for Somali football.
The decision has sparked criticism from Somali sports officials and football supporters, who argue that preventing Artan from participating undermines the spirit of fairness and inclusivity that the World Cup seeks to promote.
Artan’s case is the latest in a series of visa-related issues to affect participants ahead of the World Cup, which kicks off this week across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
