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MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — The World Cup referee from Somalia who was denied entry to the United States after arriving in Miami and subsequently cut from the tournament
by FIFA was set to make history for his country. Omar Artan was poised to become the first referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup, having made FIFA’s final list for the tournament announced two months ago. He is recognized as one of Africa’s top referees, having been named the continent’s best male referee in 2025.
Artan was denied entry at Miami International Airport on Saturday due to 'vetting concerns,' according to a statement from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which did not provide details. The Somalia Embassy in Kenya confirmed that Artan had received a visa to travel to the U.S. the previous week.Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, stated that the referee was denied admission for 'very good reason,' but he also did not disclose further details. A U.S. official later indicated that the denial was due to 'association with suspected members of terror organizations,' speaking on the condition of anonymity because the matter is covered by visa privacy laws.
The denial of entry for a FIFA-appointed match official is highly unusual. Artan was scheduled to join other World Cup referees at their training base in Miami. Somalia is among nearly 40 countries affected by new travel restrictions under the Trump administration's stringent immigration policies, raising concerns that fans, players, and officials from those nations—many of which are African—might face entry denials despite holding valid visas.
Artan recounted to The New York Times that he was questioned for 11 hours at the airport by border officials, who probed into his reasons for traveling to the U.S. and inquired about Somali politics and the al-Shabab militant group, which is engaged in an insurgency against the government. He presented FIFA documentation and photographs from his refereeing career during the interrogation.
After the lengthy questioning, Artan was placed in a holding cell and subsequently sent back on a flight to Istanbul, Turkey, from which he had connected to the U.S.
Artan expressed his belief that the denial of entry was indicative of broader issues regarding his home country. He stated, 'I think that they have a problem with my country,' noting that he possessed the necessary documents and visa, but he was not informed about the reasons for his entry refusal, according to the Times.
The Somalia Youth and Sports Ministry announced that its embassy in the U.S. was working to resolve the issue to enable Artan to participate in the World Cup, which is set to begin on Thursday. Isse Aden Abshir, a senior adviser at the Somalia sports ministry, indicated that the refusal of entry might relate to the overall travel restrictions on Somalia rather than specific allegations against Artan.
Customs and Border Protection clarified in a statement that Artan 'underwent additional inspection' upon arrival, describing it as 'a routine part of CBP’s inspection process when officers need to verify information or determine admissibility.' Following this inspection, Artan was deemed inadmissible due to vetting concerns.
CBP emphasized that all travelers seeking entry into the U.S., including World Cup players, coaches, and staff, are subject to its inspection and vetting processes. The agency stated, 'Admissibility determinations are made on a case-by-case basis using law enforcement, national security, and immigration information available at the time of inspection.' CBP officers possess the authority to question travelers, conduct inspections, and determine admissibility in accordance with U.S. law.
FIFA announced that it was not involved in immigration processes and was informed by U.S. authorities that Artan's 'status will not be changed at present.' Consequently, Artan would be unable to train or officiate at the World Cup. FIFA asserted, 'In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country.'
Despite the situation, Artan conveyed a positive outlook, stating in a FIFA-released statement, 'Despite the circumstances, I am in a positive mood and I am focused on the next challenges in my refereeing career.'
Recognized as one of Africa's best referees, Artan officiated the decisive leg of the African Champions League final last month, the continent's premier club soccer match. He previously expressed to Al Jazeera his honor in being selected as the first Somali referee at the World Cup, detailing the challenges he faced in his conflict-affected country, including needing to alter his training routes due to explosions in Mogadishu.
Artan remarked, 'You cannot give up as a referee. This (going to the World Cup) was my big, big target and I'm really excited.'
