World Cup ref from Somalia who was denied entry to the US was about to make history for his country
Summary
Omar Artan, a Somali referee chosen to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, was denied entry into the United States due to unspecified "vetting concerns." He was set to be the first referee from Somalia at a World Cup, but U.S. Customs and Border Protection rejected his entry after additional inspection at Miami Airport.Key Facts
- Omar Artan is a top referee from Somalia and was named Africa’s best male referee in 2025.
- He made FIFA’s final list of referees for the 2026 World Cup.
- Artan was denied entry into the U.S. at Miami International Airport over vetting concerns.
- He had a valid visa issued by the Somali Embassy in Kenya shortly before traveling.
- The U.S. Customs and Border Protection called the inspection routine but did not explain the specific reasons for denial.
- Somalia was included in travel restrictions introduced under President Trump’s administration.
- Somali authorities are working diplomatically to resolve the issue so Artan can still participate.
- It is rare for a FIFA-appointed official to be denied entry to a World Cup host country.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.