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1h ago

Somali Referee Barred From U.S., FIFA to Pay Full World Cup Fee

The denial followed an 11-hour CBP interrogation and has highlighted how host-country immigration can prevent FIFA-appointed officials from taking part in the tournament.

Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was expected to officiate at matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup but was denied entry to U.S., is hosted in a reception ceremony by members of the Somali community of Dayniile district, in Mogadishu, Somalia June 12, 2026 REUTERS/Feisal Omar
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Overview

  • Omar Artan was refused entry at Miami International Airport after about 11 hours of questioning by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and was returned to Turkey before flying home to Mogadishu.
  • U.S. officials said the decision rested on undisclosed 'vetting concerns' including an alleged association with suspected terror members, a claim Artan denies and which U.S. authorities have not publicly documented.
  • FIFA removed Artan from its 2026 World Cup referee roster but has committed to paying him his full tournament fee as compensation for a denial that resulted from immigration control rather than professional cause.
  • Somalia’s government and football figures publicly supported Artan, he received a large welcome in Mogadishu, and UEFA rapidly appointed him to referee the UEFA Super Cup in August as a show of professional backing.
  • The episode has raised broader questions about host-nation border checks and opaque vetting rules affecting players, officials and journalists and could prompt closer scrutiny of how immigration policy intersects with multinational sporting events.