‘I Had Right Visa’ – Somali Referee Speaks Out After World Cup Dream Ends

Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has spoken of his heartbreak after being denied entry into the United States, a decision that has ended his hopes of officiating at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Omar Artan, 34, who was set to become the first Somali referee to work at a World Cup finals, said he was turned away despite carrying valid travel documents and a visa.

“I am very, very disappointed,” Artan told the New York Times. “I’m just simply a referee who’s trying to live his dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup.”

The FIFA official said he was subjected to an 11-hour immigration interview upon arrival at Miami International Airport before being detained for several more hours and eventually placed on a flight back to Istanbul, Turkey.

“I had the right papers and everything. I had the right visa,” Artan insisted.

No official reason has been given by US immigration authorities for the decision.

Artan’s removal from the tournament means he will no longer be part of the group of referees selected for the World Cup, which begins on 11 June and runs until 19 July across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Naija News reports that FIFA confirmed his exclusion in a statement, saying: “FIFA can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States.

“Fifa is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan’s status will not be changed at present.”

Artan believes his nationality may have played a role in the decision.

“I think that they have a problem with my country,” he said.

His exclusion comes amid wider scrutiny of World Cup preparations in the United States. Somalia is among the countries affected by travel restrictions introduced under President Donald Trump’s administration, although no direct link has been officially made in Artan’s case.

The referee’s absence is particularly significant given his pioneering role in Somali football. Artan has been a FIFA-listed referee since 2018. He officiated at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.