Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan, who was set to become the first from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup finals tournament, has been denied entry into the United States, according to a Somali sports ministry official.
The reason for his refusal of entry at Miami International Airport was not immediately confirmed. However, officials noted that Somalia is among several countries previously affected by travel restrictions introduced under the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
A senior adviser to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ciise Aden Abshir, described Artan as one of Africa’s most respected referees, saying he deserved full support from the global football community. He added that Artan had a valid U.S. visa and has since returned to Istanbul, where he had been residing.
Abshir also stated that preventing him from entering the U.S. would not only affect him personally but also goes against the principles of fairness and merit in football.
FIFA had earlier listed Artan among 52 referees selected to officiate at the upcoming World Cup finals hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Artan has officiated in Somalia’s domestic league since becoming a FIFA referee in 2018. He also participated in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Algeria and was named Confederation of African Football men’s referee of the year in 2025.
Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had previously praised him for making history as the first Somali referee selected for the World Cup finals, describing him as an inspiration to the country’s younger generation.
