NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
A Somali World Cup referee who was denied entry to the United States days before the tournament started in North America by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) was flagged for “derogatory” information, including “associations with suspected members of terrorist organizations,” a Trump administration official told Pakinomist.
The flag made Omar Artan inadmissible for entry into the United States
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
Judge Omar Artan arrives in Mogadishu, Somalia after being denied entry to the United States on June 10, 2026. (Farah Abdi Warsameh/AP)
“This individual sought entry into the United States,” a Trump administration official said in a statement. “Upon further inspection by CBP, derogatory information, including affiliation with suspected members of terrorist organizations, was discovered, rendering the traveler ineligible for admission to the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
“The traveler was denied entry and given immigration forms that provide the section of law used to effect an expedited removal under 8235 of the INA. President Trump’s administration will not allow any security threat to enter our country — period.”
Artan was denied entry to Miami International Airport on Saturday due to “assessment concerns,” CBP said in a statement. He was reportedly issued a visa to the United States last week, according to Somalia’s embassy in Kenya, which processed it. He was supposed to meet with other referees for training at their base in Miami.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Referee Omar Artan of Somalia is confronted by players after awarding a penalty kick during the CAF Champions League final between AS FAR Rabat and Mamelodi Sundowns in Rabat, Morocco on May 24, 2026. (Mosa’ab Elshamy/AP)
He returned home to Somalia on Wednesday and thanked supporters.
“I promise you, God willing, I will participate in the next one,” he said. “I want the Somali public to take comfort in this and remain confident.”
Somalia is one of about three dozen countries subject to travel restrictions under the Trump administration as it has focused on illegal immigration. Artan was to be the first referee from Somalia to officiate at the World Cup and is among the best referees in Africa.
“It is up to all of us to defend the Somali name,” Artan said. “Somalia belongs to us whether it is in a bad state or a good state. That flag belongs to us and that passport belongs to us.”
Judge Omar Artan is welcomed by supporters upon his arrival in Mogadishu, Somalia, on June 10, 2026, after being denied entry to the United States. (Farah Abdi Warsameh/Associated Press)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
The World Cup begins on Thursday, with the United States, Mexico and Canada each hosting matches. The World Cup final will take place on July 18 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
