Fifa Drops Somali Referee Omar Artan From 2026 World Cup After US Entry Denial
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 8
Fifa Drops Somali Referee Omar Artan From 2026 World Cup After US Entry Denial
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 8
Summary
Fifa said Omar Artan will miss the 2026 World Cup after US authorities denied him entry at Miami International Airport, ending his chance to become the first Somali to referee at the finals.
52 referees were named for the tournament, but Fifa said Artan's status "will not be changed at present" and stressed host governments, not football bodies, control visas and admission.
Somali officials said Artan was traveling with valid documents, including a diplomatic passport issued to ease earlier visa problems, and the Somali Football Federation has asked Fifa for urgent clarification.
Andrew Giuliani, who leads the White House World Cup task force, backed the border decision without detailing the case; Somalia is on a Trump administration travel-ban list, though no formal reason was issued publicly.