Somali referee, Omar Abdulkadir Artan will not officiate at the 2026 World Cup after United States (US) immigration authorities denied him entry at Miami International Airport.
Artan, who was set to become the first Somali to officiate at a World Cup match, was stopped by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers on Saturday after arriving from Istanbul.
The CBP said he was deemed inadmissible due to "vetting concerns" but did not provide further details.
A FIFA spokesperson confirmed on Monday that Artan, named CAF Referee of the Year in 2025, would miss the tournament.
The World Cup begins across the US, Mexico and Canada on 11 June.
"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.
READ ALSO: FIFA Bans Vuvuzelas as World Cup 2026 Brings Stricter Stadium Rules
"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.
"In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country," the spokesman said.
Artan said he remained "in a positive mood" and was focused on future challenges.
"I would like to thank FIFA and CAF for all their support, and I promise to keep my refereeing levels up as I concentrate on the future.
"I want to thank the football family for their messages and wish my colleagues all the best success during the World Cup, and I look forward to joining them again in future competitions," he said.
0 Comments