The World Cup referee from Somalia, who was denied entry to america after arriving in Miami and subsequently cut from the tournament by FIFA, was set to make history for his country.
Omar Artan was going to be the primary referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup after making FIFA’s final list for the tournament, which was announced two months ago. He’s certainly one of Africa’s top referees and was named the continent’s best male referee in 2025.
He was denied entry at Miami International Airport on Saturday over “vetting concerns,” U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a press release without giving details of those concerns. Artan was issued a visa to travel to the U.S. last week, in response to the Somalia Embassy in Kenya that processed it.
The move to disclaim a FIFA-appointed match official permission to enter a World Cup host country is very unusual. Artan was resulting from meet up with other World Cup referees at their training base in Miami.
The Somalia Youth and Sports Ministry said on Tuesday that it had not been told why Artan was denied entry and its embassy within the U.S. was making diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue and still allow Artan to referee on the World Cup, which opens on Thursday.
Somalia was certainly one of the countries subjected to recent travel restrictions last yr under the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration. That raised concerns that fans, players and officials from those countries — most of that are African — may be denied entry for the World Cup resulting from the larger crackdown despite having valid visas.
“When Customs and Border Protection said Omar Artan was found inadmissible due to vetting concerns without specifying the rationale, it might be related to those broader screening measures fairly than any specific allegation against him,” Isse Aden Abshir, a senior adviser on the Somalia sports ministry and a former national team captain, told The Associated Press.
Artan subjected to ‘additional inspection’
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“During processing, the traveller underwent additional inspection, a routine a part of CBP’s inspection process when officers must confirm information or determine admissibility,” CBP said in its statement on Monday. “Following inspection, the traveller, a referee for the FIFA World Cup, was determined to be inadmissible resulting from vetting concerns and was denied entry.”
It didn’t name Artan and referred only to a Somali national who’s a World Cup referee. Artan is the one Somali referee chosen for the tournament.
CBP said all travellers searching for entry into the U.S. — including World Cup players, coaches and staff — were 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 on the time of inspection,” the CBP statement said. “CBP officers have the authority to query travellers, conduct inspections, and determine admissibility consistent with U.S. law.”
FIFA drops ref from World Cup
FIFA said it was not involved within the immigration processes and was informed by U.S. authorities that Artan’s “status won’t be modified at present.” It said Artan wouldn’t give you the option to coach and officiate on the World Cup.
“According to previous FIFA events, a number government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who’s admitted into their country,” FIFA said.
Still, FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino built close ties to U.S. President Donald Trump’s government because the U.S. prepared to co-host with Mexico and Canada, and had publicly stressed how that might help the World Cup run easily.
Infantino didn’t immediately comment on the problem, while FIFA released a press release on behalf of Artan.
“Despite the circumstances, I’m in a positive mood and I’m focused on the following challenges in my refereeing profession,” Artan said within the statement. “I would really like to thank FIFA and (the African soccer confederation) for all their support and I promise to maintain my refereeing levels up as I consider the long run.
“I would like to thank the football family for his or her messages and need my colleagues all the most effective success through the World Cup and I stay up for joining them again in future competitions.”
He was to make history for Somalia
Artan was praised as certainly one of Africa’s best referees and was the ref for the decisive leg of the African Champions League final last month — Africa’s biggest club soccer game.
He spoke in a recent interview with the Al Jazeera TV network about how he was honoured to be chosen to be the primary Somali to referee on the World Cup and the way he faced challenges in his conflict-torn country in East Africa, including sometimes having to vary his path to training due to explosions within the streets of the capital, Mogadishu.
“You can’t hand over as a referee,” Artan said within the interview. This (going to the World Cup) was my big, big goal and I’m really excited.”
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