Trump administration: Somali ref suspected of terrorism link

Field Level Media|published: Wed 10th June, 16:47 2026

Jun 10, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; A general view of Seattle Stadium during a media tour ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Mandatory Credit: Blake Dahlin-Imagn Images

The Somali referee headed to the World Cup then turned away was denied entry into the United States over a possible tie to terrorism, a Trump administration official claimed to Fox News.

Omar Abdulkadir Artan, 34, made it to Miami International Airport on a flight from Istanbul on Saturday but was refused entrance into the country by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.

"Upon further inspection by CBP, derogatory information, including association with suspected members of terror organizations, was discovered making the traveler ineligible for admission to the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)," the statement read, Fox News reported Wednesday.

"The traveler was refused admission and given immigration forms that provide the section of law used to complete an expedited removal under 8235 of the INA. President Trump's administration will not allow any security threat to enter our country - full stop."

Artan was named 2025 Male Referee of the Year by the Confederation of African Football and would have been the first-ever Somali referee to take charge of a match at the World Cup.

Fox reported Artan had been issued a visa to enter the United States last week, citing the Somalia Embassy in Kenya that processed it.

--Field Level Media