By Abukar Osman - Reporter
Somalia, 8 June 2026 – Somali FIFA referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was reportedly denied entry to the United States over the weekend, days before attending a FIFA seminar ahead of the 2026 World Cup, media reports said.
Artan, who had been selected by FIFA to officiate at the tournament, was travelling from Istanbul to Miami on Saturday when he was reportedly denied entry on arrival in the United States for reasons that have not been officially disclosed.
He was returned to Istanbul on Sunday, according to the reports.
The Somali Embassy in Nairobi had said on Friday that it had facilitated Artan’s travel on a diplomatic passport, according to reports circulating on social media.
Local media reported that the Head of Referees at the Somalia Football Association formally contacted FIFA over the incident. FIFA reportedly acknowledged the matter and said it would respond as soon as possible.
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No official statement has been issued by FIFA, Somali authorities or U.S. officials.
Artan was recently named Africa’s Best Referee for 2025 at the CAF Awards in Rabat, Morocco. He was expected to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a FIFA World Cup.
The reported incident comes after a U.S. presidential proclamation issued on June 4, 2025, restricted the entry of Somali nationals into the United States.
Source: Anadolu Agency