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World Affairs — National Security — Immigration

Why Was A Somali Referee Denied Entry To The US For The World Cup

U.S. Customs and Border Protection did not disclose the specific reasons for the decision

,   and  TIPP Staff
3 min read
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan (Pic via @ARISEtv)

Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will not participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being denied entry into the United States, according to FIFA and U.S. authorities.

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Reported by CNN, Artan arrived in Miami from Istanbul and underwent additional screening before being ruled inadmissible due to unspecified "vetting concerns."

U.S. Customs and Border Protection did not disclose the specific reasons for the decision. However, Somalia is among the countries affected by President Donald Trump’s travel restrictions, which subject travelers to heightened scrutiny.

Artan, who was named Africa’s top male referee in 2025 and selected by the Confederation of African Football for the tournament, said he remains focused on his future career and thanked FIFA and CAF for their support.

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According to FIFA, host governments retain full authority over visa and entry decisions.

The report said the case adds to broader concerns over access to the tournament, with Iranian football officials also reporting visa delays and entry issues for members of their World Cup delegation under current U.S. immigration policies.

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