The Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States upon his arrival in Miami. He was subsequently removed from the World Cup roster by FIFA. Artan was set to be the first Somali referee to officiate at the World Cup, having qualified for the tournament’s final list announced two months prior. Recognized as one of Africa’s top referees, he was awarded the title of the continent’s best male referee in 2025.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection cited ‘vetting concerns’ for barring his entry, though they did not elaborate on the specifics. The Somalia Embassy in Kenya had already processed a visa for Artan last week. According to Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, Artan’s denial was for ‘very good reason,’ yet no details were provided. Such a denial for a FIFA-appointed official in a host country is rare. Artan was expected to join other referees at a training camp in Miami.
Under the Trump administration’s stringent immigration policies, Somalia is among nearly 40 nations facing travel restrictions. This has raised fears that individuals from these regions, mainly African, could face entry challenges despite having valid visas. Upon his arrival, Artan was interviewed for 11 hours by U.S. border officials. He was questioned about the purpose of his U.S. visit, Somali politics, and the al-Shabab insurgency. Despite presenting FIFA documents and photos, he was detained and subsequently sent back to Istanbul, Turkey.
“I think that they have a problem with my country,” Artan told The New York Times.
The Somalia Youth and Sports Ministry indicated that its embassy in the U.S. is attempting to rectify the issue, aiming to facilitate Artan’s participation in the World Cup, which begins on Thursday. Isse Aden Abshir, a senior adviser at the Somalia sports ministry, suggested that the restrictions might be due to wider policies rather than specific accusations against Artan.
Customs and Border Protection explained that Artan was subject to ‘additional inspection’ upon arrival. This process is routine when officers need to verify information. Following the inspection, concerns led to his inadmissibility. CBP emphasized that all World Cup attendees would face similar inspections. They clarified that these decisions rely on available security and legal information at the time.
FIFA stated it had no role in immigration processes. They were notified that Artan’s status would remain unchanged, preventing him from officiating and training. According to FIFA, a host country’s government ultimately decides on entry visas.
FIFA and its President, Gianni Infantino, had established relations with President Donald Trump’s administration to ensure smooth World Cup proceedings, as the U.S. co-hosts with Mexico and Canada. Infantino has not commented on Artan’s situation. However, FIFA released a statement conveying Artan’s positive outlook despite the challenges.
Artan was scheduled to make history for Somalia by officiating at the World Cup. He is celebrated for his role in Africa’s major soccer events, including the African Champions League final. In an Al Jazeera interview, Artan expressed his honor in being chosen for the World Cup and highlighted the obstacles he overcame in Somalia, notably the security threats in Mogadishu. “You cannot give up as a referee,” Artan stated, emphasizing his excitement about the World Cup opportunity.