Somali referee Omar Artan denied US entry for World Cup, excluded by FIFA

Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will not participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being denied entry to the United States. FIFA has confirmed his exclusion from the tournament, which begins in just days.

Artan arrived in Miami over the weekend but was turned away by US Customs and Border Protection. According to the agency, he was 'determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns.' No further details about the specific reasons for the denial were provided. Reports indicate that Artan was subsequently deported to Turkey.

The 35-year-old referee was considered one of Africa's most prominent officials and was recently named the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) Referee of the Year for 2025. He was among 52 referees selected by FIFA for the 2026 World Cup. His participation would have been historic, as he would have been the first Somali referee to officiate at a FIFA World Cup.

The 2026 World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This marks the first time three countries have jointly hosted a World Cup and the first time the US has hosted since 1994. The tournament will feature 48 teams, making it the largest World Cup in history.

The incident raises questions about security vetting procedures for international sporting events. The United States has tightened its entry requirements in recent years, particularly for individuals from certain countries. Somalia is among the nations whose citizens are subject to additional security screenings.

For FIFA, Artan's exclusion means finding last-minute replacement officials. The organization has not yet announced who will replace the Somali referee. The selection process for World Cup referees is lengthy, beginning years in advance and involving strict performance and fitness criteria.

The case highlights the challenges international sports organizations face when national security requirements conflict with sporting selections. Similar situations have occurred at other international events where athletes or officials were unable to participate due to visa or security issues.

Artan had officiated at major African tournaments throughout his career, including the Africa Cup of Nations and CAF Champions League matches. His World Cup nomination was seen as recognition of his achievements and an important step for the development of refereeing in Somalia and East Africa.

The incident also comes amid broader discussions about the intersection of sports and politics. International sporting events often face complications when geopolitical tensions or security concerns affect participation. The World Cup, as the world's most-watched sporting event, typically aims to transcend political boundaries, but practical security considerations sometimes create barriers.

US authorities have stated that all entry decisions are made based on applicable laws and security guidelines. They emphasized that each case is reviewed individually and that the country's security remains the top priority. The specific nature of the 'vetting concerns' that led to Artan's denial has not been disclosed, which is typical for security-related immigration decisions.

FIFA has not commented on whether it will seek to address the situation through diplomatic channels or if alternative arrangements might be possible. The organization typically works closely with host countries to ensure smooth operations for international tournaments, but ultimate authority over entry decisions rests with national governments.