Key facts
- Somali World Cup referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry into the U.S.
- Artan arrived at Miami International Airport and was deemed inadmissible due to vetting concerns.
- FIFA confirmed Artan will not be able to train and officiate at the World Cup.
- U.S. Customs and Border Patrol cited unspecified vetting concerns for the denial.
Omar Abdulkadir Artan, a World Cup referee from Somalia, was denied entry into the United States over the weekend, preventing him from officiating at the upcoming tournament. FIFA confirmed that Artan's status would not be changed by authorities.
Artan arrived at Miami International Airport on Saturday and was deemed inadmissible due to unspecified vetting concerns. U.S. Customs and Border Patrol stated that admissibility is determined on a case-by-case basis using law enforcement, national security, and immigration information available at the time of inspection. The agency did not elaborate on the specific concerns.
Media reports indicated that Artan held a valid visa. The Trump administration's strict immigration policies, including a travel ban on citizens of 12 countries, including Somalia, have been a point of concern ahead of the World Cup.