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Somali referee won't officiate in World Cup after being denied entry
into the United States

   The Associated Press | Posted: June 8, 2026 10:47 PM | Last
   Updated: 15 hours ago

   Omar Artan was turned away at Miami International Airport from
   Istanbul on Saturday

   Image | 1948400746

   Caption: Somalian referee Omar Artan officiates a match at the
   Africa Cup of Nations in 2024. (Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP via
   Getty Images)
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   Somali referee Omar Artan won't officiate in the World Cup
   after being denied entry into the United States.
   U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Monday that a Somali
   national who was planning to referee in the World Cup had been
   denied entry after arriving to Miami International Airport from
   Istanbul on Saturday. While the CBP statement didn't mention
   the person by name, Artan is the only World Cup referee from
   Somalia.
   FIFA confirmed later Monday that Artan wouldn't be able to
   train and officiate at the World Cup.
   "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," soccer's governing body said in a statement. "In line
   with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately
   determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their
   country."
   CBP issued a release explaining why Artan was denied entry.
   "During processing, the traveler underwent additional
   inspection, a routine part of CBP's inspection process when
   officers need to verify information or determine
   admissibility," CBP said in its statement. "Following
   inspection, the traveler, a referee for the FIFA World Cup, was
   determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns and was
   denied entry."
     * Iran's soccer players issued visas to play World Cup
       matches in U.S., official says

   CBP noted that all travellers seeking entry into the U.S. —
   including athletes, coaches and staff — are subject to CBP
   inspection and vetting.
   "Admissibility determinations are made on a case-by-case basis
   using law enforcement, national security, and immigration
   information available at the time of inspection," the CBP
   statement said. "CBP officers have the authority to question
   travellers, conduct inspections, and determine admissibility
   consistent with U.S. law."

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