World Cup 2026: FIFA sidelines Omar Artan after his expulsion from the United States

World Cup 2026 Today at 18:35

Nouya M'toama

News Editor

The 2026 World Cup is already rocked by controversy. FIFA confirmed on Monday that Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will neither take part in preparatory seminars nor officiate during the tournament after being denied entry into the United States.

In a statement, the global governing body reiterated that it has no authority over the immigration decisions of host countries. "FIFA does not get involved in the immigration procedures of organizing countries, including the granting of visas," the statement read, adding that it had been informed the Somali official's situation is not expected to change in the near future.

According to U.S. authorities, the referee was deemed "inadmissible" after an extensive screening upon his arrival in Miami, due to traveler verification procedures. No further details have been released publicly.

This decision has caused confusion in Somalia. The adviser to Somalia's Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ciise Aden Abshir, stated that Artan did, in fact, possess a valid visa and a diplomatic passport at the time of his travel to the United States.

The situation is all the more significant as Omar Artan was set to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a men's World Cup. A leading figure among African referees, he was named the 2025 African Referee of the Year by the Confederation of African Football and is considered one of the continent's most respected officials.

Just days before the World Cup kicks off in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, this incident reignites the debate over migration constraints that could affect some participants in the competition.