According to a report by Anadolu Agency on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, due to his denial of admission into the United States, Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will not be participating in the FIFA World Cup preparations and will not be able to officiate any matches during the tournament, according to FIFA.
On Saturday, while en route from Istanbul to Miami for officiating seminars prior to the competition, Artan was denied entry to the United States by immigration officials. After Sunday, he was sent back to Istanbul, terminating his involvement in the event’s preparatory program.
The result was that the referee will not be able to participate in any World Cup preparations or training, according to a formal statement released by FIFA on Monday.
It has been confirmed by FIFA, the global governing body of football, that Omar Abdulkadir Artan will not be able to train for or officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to his denial of admission into the US.
In addition, FIFA made it clear that it has no say in visa and admission decisions, emphasising that host governments have complete discretion over immigration. According to the organization, the proper authorities have already advised them that Artan’s entrance status cannot be changed at this moment.
“As has been the case with past FIFA events, the host government has the final say over visa and admission decisions,” the statement continued.
According to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the referee was denied entrance after routine inspection processes were followed, according to The Athletic. After reviewing Artan at the point of entry, the agency determined that he was inadmissible owing to vetting concerns.
Athletes, coaches, and staff, along with all travellers attempting to enter the US, are inspected and vetted by CBP, according to the department.
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At the time of inspection, information pertaining to immigration, national security, and law enforcement is considered in making admissibility determinations on a case-by-case basis.
According to US immigration law, CBP agents have the authority to question travellers, search their belongings, and make final decisions.
Somali football suffered a major blow with Artan’s expulsion; he had just won the title of Africa’s Best Referee for 2025 at the CAF Awards in Rabat, Morocco.
He was going to make history as the first Somalian to officiate a FIFA World Cup match, and he was a legendary figure in Somali sports.
Amidst increased scrutiny on US immigration laws, he chooses not to be present.
Under a presidential proclamation that was issued on June 4, 2025, by US President Donald Trump, “the entry into the United States of nationals of Somalia as immigrants and nonimmigrants is hereby fully suspended.” This measure completely restricts the entry of Somali nationals