Key facts
- Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the U.S. for the World Cup.
- U.S. officials cited "vetting concerns" and "association with suspected members of terror organizations" as reasons for denial.
- Artan, a FIFA referee since 2018, was set to be the first Somali to officiate at a World Cup finals.
- He was questioned for 11 hours by immigration officials before being placed on a return flight.
- The U.S. State Department cited national security and public safety in its visa adjudication process.
- FIFA stated it is not involved in host country immigration processes.
Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to "vetting concerns" and "association with suspected members of terror organizations," according to reports. Artan, 34, who became a FIFA referee in 2018 and was set to be the first Somali to officiate at a World Cup finals, was turned away by border officials in Miami despite holding a diplomatic passport and a U.S. visa.
Artan told BBC Somali that refereeing at the World Cup was the highlight of his career and that his selection was a moment where years of hard work finally made sense. He was named the best male referee in Africa last year and officiated two matches at the recent Africa Cup of Nations. Somalia's President Hassan Mohamud had hailed him as "a symbol of inspiration for the new generation of Somalis" after his World Cup appointment.
According to the BBC, Artan was questioned by immigration officials for 11 hours before being placed on a return flight. The U.S. State Department told BBC Africa that it welcomes "legitimate travelers" and adjudicates each visa application on a case-by-case basis "after rigorous review and thorough vetting," citing "national security and public safety" as factors in their process. Artan returned to Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, on Wednesday.
FIFA stated that it is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr. Artan's status will not be changed at present. The game's world governing body added that a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country. The Somali government has stated it is "deeply saddened" by the circumstances, while Artan expressed gratitude to the "football family" for their support and pledged to maintain his refereeing levels.
Artan's career began in Mogadishu after a leg injury ended his playing days. A key influence was Osman Jama Dirac, the former head of referees in Somalia, who provided technical guidance and personal support. Dirac was killed in August 2017. Artan was part of the officiating team for the Under-20 World Cup in Chile last year and received recognition from FIFA referees' chief Pierluigi Collina. Africa will be represented by six referees at the tournament, which kicks off on Thursday and runs until July 19.