In a major setback just days before the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026, top African match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been denied entry into the United States, ending his hopes of becoming the first Somali referee to officiate at a World Cup finals.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) 2025 Referee of the Year, Omar Abdulkadir Artan, arrived at Miami International Airport on a flight from Istanbul but was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Despite travelling with valid documentation and a diplomatic passport intended to ease entry, he was subjected to additional screening and declared inadmissible due to vetting concerns before being placed on a return flight to Turkey.
FIFA confirmed on Monday that Artan will not take part in the tournament, saying he will be unable to attend training or officiate at the World Cup after being denied entry.
The governing body noted it does not control host nation immigration processes and had been informed that his status would not change.
A FIFA spokesperson said, “FIFA can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States. FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan’s status will not be changed at present. In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country.”
The decision stands in contrast to earlier assurances from FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who had pledged that access procedures for the tri-nation tournament would be smooth and inclusive.
For Artan and African football, the episode has intensified scrutiny over visa and border procedures linked to major global sporting events, particularly as other officials and delegations reportedly face similar disruptions.
In a social media statement, Artan struck a measured tone, expressing gratitude for the support he has received and optimism about his future in refereeing.
“Despite the circumstances, I’m in good spirits and focused on the next challenges in my career. I want to thank the football family for the messages and wish my colleagues all the best during the World Cup. I’m looking forward to meeting them in the future. I want to thank FIFA and CAF for all the support and promise to keep improving my level and focusing on the future.”
The Confederation of African Football Confederation of African Football has not issued a detailed public response on the incident.