FIFA has confirmed that Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will not officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being denied entry into the United States.
According to FIFA, Artan will be unable to participate in training activities or officiate matches at the tournament following the decision by US immigration authorities. The world football governing body stated that immigration and visa decisions fall under the jurisdiction of host-country authorities and are outside FIFA’s control.
Artan, who was named the Confederation of African Football's Best Male Referee in 2025, had been selected among the match officials for the World Cup and was set to become the first Somali referee to officiate at the tournament.
US Customs and Border Protection said a Somali national arriving from Istanbul was denied entry following an inspection that raised unspecified vetting concerns. Authorities did not publicly disclose further details regarding the decision.
The development has generated discussion within the international football community, with many observers noting the significance of the missed opportunity for both Artan and Somali football. Artan has since expressed gratitude to FIFA and African football authorities for their support and indicated that he remains focused on the next stage of his refereeing career.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico and is expected to be the largest edition of the tournament in history.
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