'Ref Trying To Live His Dream' Omar Abdulkadir Artan Laments FIFA WC 2026 Debacle: 'Had The Right Visa!'

Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was ruled out of officiating at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after being denied entry to the USA, lamented the treatment extended to the match official, who sought to officiate the global spectacle and live out a lifetime dream.

Artan, who was among the 52 officials selected by FIFA, stood the chance to become the first Somali referee to take charge of a match at football’s biggest tournament, but was refused entry by U.S. authorities upon arrival at the Miami International Airport on Saturday.

“I had the right papers and everything. I had the right visa,” he said.

“I’m very, very disappointed. I’m just simply a referee who’s trying to live his dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup,”

the official added.

FIFA confirmed that proceedings meant that the Somali ref will play not play a role in the competition stating that the governing body isn’t involved in the host nation’s visa process.

“FIFA can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States,” a FIFA spokesperson said.

“FIFA 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 spokesperson said.

“In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country.”

Widespread outrage erupted online after footage emerged of players from the Senegal and Uzbekistan national teams being subjected to lengthy searches.

Anger grew further when Fabio Cannavaro’s Uzbekistan side, coached by the former Italian World Cup winner, was searched with the assistance of bomb-sniffing dogs.

This is not the first time preparations for the FIFA showpiece have been disrupted. Switzerland raised concerns after vipers were found near their camp, while an incident of gunfire was reported close to the England camp. Japan, meanwhile, expressed unease about the conditions at their training base.