Tuesday, June 9, 2026 - World Cup referee Omar Artan has been denied entry to the United States, just three days before the tournament is set to begin. The Somali official was poised to become the first-ever referee from his country to take charge of a match at a Fifa World Cup.
Artan, 34, was named the best African referee for 2025 by
the Confederation of African Football and has previously officiated at the
Africa Cup of Nations. He reportedly encountered difficulties securing a visa
but benefited from support from the Somali embassy in Nairobi, which enabled
him to obtain a diplomatic passport.
He travelled from Kenya through Turkey to Miami, after FIFA
confirmed last week that his visa situation had been "fully resolved"
and that he would be available to officiate at the tournament. Denied entry to
the US, he has now returned to Istanbul.
The Somali is one of eight referees from CAF selected by
FIFA to officiate at the World Cup. There are also eight from the AFC, nine
from Concacaf, one from the OFC, 12 from Conmebol, and 15 from Uefa. Those from
Uefa countries include Poland's Szymon Marciniak, who refereed the 2022 World
Cup final, as well as England's Anthony Taylor and Michael Oliver. In total,
170 referees, assistant referees, and video assistant referees will take charge
of the record 104 matches across the three host nations.
It currently remains unclear what will happen if Artan is
not permitted entry in time for the tournament. The Somali FA and FIFA have
been contacted for comment.
The US travel ban has already caused issues for some players
expected to feature in the World Cup. Despite not qualifying for the
tournament, Somalia features on the travel ban list. Switzerland striker Breel
Embolo was initially barred from flying to the country due to travel issues
related to a 2018 court ruling; he was convicted in 2023 of making multiple
threats and handed a suspended fine. Those issues have since been resolved, and
he has arrived in San Diego.
Iran have been forced to change their plans for the tournament and will now be based in Mexico. The squad will only be allowed into the US on matchdays and must leave on the same day.
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