World Cup referee from Somalia denied entry to U.S.

Field Level Media|published: Mon 8th June, 18:37 2026

May 30, 2026; Harrison, New Jersey, USA; A general view of an adidas FIFA World Cup 2 Pro Official match ball during the second half of an international friendly between Ecuador and Saudi Arabia at Sports Illustrated Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

U.S. Customs and Border Protection stopped a Somali referee selected to work the World Cup from entering the United States.

Omar Artan, named Africa's best referee in 2025, was in line to become the first person from Somalia to officiate a World Cup match.

CBP confirmed Monday that will no longer the case after Artan was held for "additional inspection" at Miami International Airport as part of its custom process.

"Following inspection, the traveler, a referee for the FIFA World Cup, was determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns and was denied entry," the agency said in a statement. It did not specify what the concerns were.

Artan was the only referee on FIFA's World Cup list who hails from Somalia. Since June 9, 2025, the African nation has been on the United States' list of "fully suspended" countries for travel into the country, though the U.S. government can make exceptions.

Artan reportedly held a valid visa and a diplomatic passport, but they were deemed insufficient for entry into the United States.

Ciise Aden Abshir, a senior adviser from Somalia's Ministry of Youth and Sports, expressed displeasure with Artan's treatment in a statement shared with multiple outlets.

"Omar Artan is among Africa's most respected referees and deserves the support of the entire football community," Abshir said. "Denying him entry to the United States and preventing him from officiating scheduled matches harms not only him personally but also undermines football's commitment to fairness, merit, and the spirit of fair play."

Artan worked the Africa Cup of Nations in 2023 and was named the continent's best referee last year, the Guardian reported.

It is the latest instance of travel disruption for those attempting to enter the United States for the World Cup that begins Thursday.

Players for the Iranian national team received their visas to enter the U.S., but the country's soccer federation said 14 officials and staff members were refused visas and called it "vindictive behavior" after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran in February.

--Field Level Media