Somali Referee Omar Artan Denied US Entry Ahead of World Cup Over Security Concerns

Posted : 10 June 2026

A United States official has confirmed that Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the country ahead of the FIFA World Cup due to alleged associations with suspected members of terrorist organizations. The official spoke anonymously, citing legal restrictions on visa-related disclosures.

Earlier, Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, said Artan had been refused entry for what he described as “very good reason,” though he did not provide further explanation.

Artan was stopped at Miami International Airport on Saturday after being flagged for what U.S. Customs and Border Protection referred to as “vetting concerns.” Although he had been issued a visa the previous week through the Somali Embassy in Kenya, he was subjected to extensive questioning upon arrival.

According to Artan, he was detained for around 11 hours, during which officials questioned him about his travel history, Somali politics, and the militant group al-Shabaab, which is active in the region. He said he provided FIFA accreditation documents and evidence of his refereeing career, but was later placed in a holding facility and deported to Istanbul.

The referee, who was named Africa’s best male referee in 2025 and had been selected for the upcoming World Cup, expressed confusion over the decision, stating he was not given a clear explanation for his removal. He was set to become the first Somali official to referee at a World Cup.

FIFA said it was not involved in the immigration decision and had been informed by U.S. authorities that Artan’s status would remain unchanged for now. He had been scheduled to join other officials at a training camp in Miami ahead of the tournament, which begins Thursday.

The Somalia Youth and Sports Ministry stated it is working with diplomatic channels in the United States to resolve the issue and potentially secure Artan’s participation.

The case has drawn attention because it is highly unusual for a FIFA-appointed official to be denied entry into a host nation shortly before a major international tournament. Somalia is among several countries affected by updated travel restrictions introduced under U.S. immigration policy, raising concerns that athletes, officials, and fans could face similar complications despite holding valid documentation.

Somali Referee Omar Artan Denied US Entry Ahead of World Cup Over Security Concerns

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