The United States denied entry to a Somali referee who arrived in the country over the weekend to officiate matches during the FIFA World Cup, the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol said Monday.
The Somali national arrived at Miami International Airport from Istanbul International Airport on Saturday and was determined to be inadmissible due to investigative concerns and was denied entry, CBP said in a statement, without saying what those concerns were.
CBP did not name the Somali national, but according to media reports it was Omar Artan, an award-winning referee who had a valid visa and was set to be the first from his country to officiate at the World Cup.
Somalia’s embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A FIFA spokesman confirmed in a statement that Artan, who was denied entry to the United States after arriving at Miami International Airport, would play no part in the World Cup.
“FIFA can confirm that referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to coach and referee at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after he was denied entry to the United States,” a FIFA spokesman said. AFP.
FIFA stressed it was powerless to influence the decision, which it said was the sole preserve of tournament co-hosts in the United States.
“FIFA is not involved in the host country’s immigration processes, including visa decisions, and has been informed by the authorities that Mr Artan’s status will not be changed at this time,” the spokesman said.
“In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately decides who receives a visa and who is admitted to their country.”
Artan was among the 52 referees announced by FIFA to officiate at the World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
He has refereed the Somali Football League Championships since becoming a FIFA referee in 2018.
He also participated in the final of the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Algeria, and in 2025 he was named by the Confederation of African Football as the Men’s Referee of the Year.
The Trump administration’s strict immigration policies have been a point of concern for World Cup participants, and last year Washington imposed a comprehensive travel ban on citizens of 12 countries, including Somalia.
