Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who had been due to become the first Somali referee at a World Cup finals, has been removed from the list of officials after being refused admission to the United States.

He was stopped on arrival at Miami International Airport and subsequently sent back, and he is currently in Turkey. No explanation has been provided by US immigration authorities for the decision, although Somalia is among several countries affected by a travel restriction linked to measures introduced during Donald Trump’s administration.

The decision means he will no longer take part in the 2026 World Cup as an on-pitch official.

FIFA position and visa responsibility

FIFA confirmed that Artan will not be able to attend the tournament to train or officiate after discussions with US authorities. The organisation stated that it does not control immigration procedures or visa decisions made by the host country.

According to FIFA, it was informed that his entry status would not change for now, meaning he could not be included in the officiating group.

The governing body also stressed that admission decisions ultimately rest with the host nation, which determines who is granted entry.

Training base requirements and logistical impact

Refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina has established a preparation centre in Miami for the 52 referees and 88 assistant referees selected for the tournament.

All match officials are required to remain at this Florida base for training, preparation, and security arrangements.

Because of this setup, it would not be possible for Artan to remain outside the United States and only work matches staged in Canada or Mexico.

Reactions, statements, and background

A senior adviser at Somalia’s ministry of youth and sports confirmed that Artan had been travelling with valid documentation. A Somali embassy official in Nairobi added that a diplomatic passport had been issued to help resolve previous visa issues.

Artan himself said he remained positive despite the outcome and expressed gratitude to FIFA and the Confederation of African Football for their support, adding that he intended to continue focusing on his refereeing career and future opportunities.

The Somali Football Federation has asked FIFA for urgent clarification on the situation.

Andrew Giuliani, who leads the White House World Cup task force, said the decision by border officials was appropriate and expressed support for it.

Artan has been a FIFA-listed referee since 2018 and has officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations. He was also named CAF Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025.

The World Cup is scheduled to take place from 11 June to 19 July.