Omar Artan, the Somali referee who was set to become the first person from his country to officiate at a World Cup finals, spent 11 hours in an immigration interview at Miami International Airport before being told he could not enter the United States – despite holding what he described as the “right papers and everything” and the “right visa”.
After the interrogation, Artan was taken to a separate holding cell, detained for several more hours, and then put on a flight back to Istanbul, Turkey. No reason for his repatriation was issued by US immigration authorities, but Somalia is one of several countries on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump’s administration.
“Somali referee Omar Artan denied US entry for World Cup despite valid visa, sparking criticism.”
World governing body Fifa confirmed Artan will miss the tournament. “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,” a statement said. “Fifa is not involved in host country immigration processes … a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country.”
Andrew Giuliani, who leads the White House Task Force on the World Cup, defended the decision. “While I can’t go into the derog [derogatory information] on that I can tell you it was the right decision by customs and border patrol and I support that decision,” he told the BBC World Service.
Artan, who had been selected as one of 52 referees for the tournament, expressed his devastation to the New York Times. “I am very, very disappointed,” he said. “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.” He added: “I think that they have a problem with my country.”
The issue is not isolated to Artan. According to state media reports, at least 15 Iranian officials and team staff – described as “integral” to the campaign – were denied visas. Iran’s football federation claims the co-hosts have also revoked the ticket allocation for their group games in an effort to “obstruct the presence of Iranian supporters”. The team has been forced to move its training base across the border to Tijuana, Mexico, despite playing group fixtures in the United States, creating a logistical absurdity where the squad may have to commute across the border on match days.
The build-up to the tournament, which also involves Canada and Mexico as co-hosts, prompted former England and Arsenal striker Ian Wright to label it a “World Cup of chaos”. In a video posted on Instagram, Wright said: “I have just read that the Somalian referee has been denied entry. Every few hours it’s another story. Another story about fans denied, players denied, officials denied, journalists denied now refs? … Expensive tickets, most expensive tickets ever, expensive accommodation, transport through the roof. It has to be said. Is this how the hosts behave for the greatest game? … Are we not seeing Qatar got dragged? How are we not hearing more?”
Fifa’s referees’ chief Pierluigi Collina had created a training hub for all 52 referees and 88 assistant referees in Miami, with on-pitch officials required to stay at the base for training, preparation and security. Artan’s removal means he cannot officiate even matches in Canada or Mexico, as he would have to be based in the US. The tournament’s opening game is days away.