A respected Somali referee has been barred from entering the United States just days before the World Cup. Omar Artan was denied entry at Miami International Airport on Monday.
Artan was set to become the first official from Somalia to referee at the World Cup finals. He holds one of 52 slots FIFA awarded for the tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Somalia appears on Washington's travel ban list under President Donald Trump's administration. Officials have not yet explained why Artan was specifically blocked from entry.
Ciise Aden Abshir, an advisor to Somalia's Ministry of Youth and Sports, told AFP the decision was troubling. "Omar Artan is among Africa's most respected referees and deserves the support of the entire football community," he said.
Artan possessed a valid US visa before his rejection. He has since returned to Istanbul, where he'd been based.
According to Abshir, blocking the referee harms more than just one person. "Denying him entry and preventing him from officiating scheduled matches undermines football's commitment to fairness, merit, and fair play," the official noted.
Since becoming a FIFA referee in 2018, Artan has built an impressive record. He officiated matches in Somalia's national football league championships.
His international credentials are equally strong. In 2023, he refereed matches at the African Cup of Nations finals in Algeria.
Last year brought him further recognition. The Confederation of African Football named him men's referee of the year in 2025.
Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud celebrated Artan's World Cup selection in April. "I commend the effort, professionalism, and integrity shown by referee Omar," Mohamud said at the time.
Artan's achievement was historic for the East African nation. No Somali official had ever reached the World Cup before.
