A World Cup referee, holding a diplomatic passport and a valid US visa, was stopped at the border and sent home. Omar Abdulkadir Artan, a 35-year-old Somali who was Africa's referee of the year in 2025, had been assigned to officiate matches at the 2026 World Cup in the United States. But the Trump administration denied him entry, reigniting a debate about the president's long‑standing hostility toward Somalia and its people.
Artan's case is part of a broader pattern. He is not the first—and likely not the last—Somali national to be barred from the US under President Donald Trump. In the past, Trump has called Somalia a 'disgusting' country and its people 'garbage'. His administration has imposed travel bans on several mostly Muslim countries, including Somalia, and has repeatedly tightened visa rules for Somali citizens. The fact that Artan carried a diplomatic passport and a single‑entry US visa made little difference: he was turned away at a US port of entry, left unable to fulfil his professional duties at the world's biggest sporting event.
“Explains why a Somali referee was barred from the US for the World Cup and Trump's history with Somalia.”
The timing is especially awkward because the US is co‑hosting the 2026 World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico. The opening match—the United States vs. an as‑yet undetermined opponent—takes place in Los Angeles on Friday, and Trump has said he will not attend. Meanwhile, Paraguay's president will be there. For many, the absence of the host nation's leader at its own opening game symbolises a larger disengagement from the tournament. The controversy over Artan's exclusion adds further tension, raising questions about how welcoming the US truly is to international visitors, particularly those from African nations.
For UK readers, the story hits close to home. Scotland’s national team will play its opening World Cup match against Haiti at Boston Stadium. The referee for that game has been confirmed as a 12‑year FIFA veteran from Africa—but not Artan. The decision to bar a top‑tier African referee from the tournament could be seen as an affront to the global football community, and it may create diplomatic awkwardness for a US‑hosted event that is supposed to celebrate international unity. If the UK or its devolved nations are to send teams, players, and officials into a country where visa rules appear arbitrary or discriminatory, it sets a worrying precedent.
Q: Why was Omar Artan denied entry to the US? The Trump administration has not given a detailed public explanation, but Artan is a Somali national, and Somalia has been subject to enhanced travel restrictions under Trump's executive orders. Despite holding a diplomatic passport and a valid US visa, he was turned away at the border.
Q: What has Donald Trump said about Somalia and Somalis? Trump has repeatedly used harsh language about Somalia, calling it a 'disgusting' country and describing its people as 'garbage'. His administration has defended travel bans that restrict immigration and entry from Somalia.
Q: How does this affect the World Cup? It raises concerns about the fairness and accessibility of the tournament in the US. If officials from certain countries can be blocked from entering, the integrity of the competition may be questioned. It also undermines FIFA's message of inclusivity.
What happens next is unclear. Artan has not yet been able to travel to the US, and there is no sign the administration will reverse course. FIFA has not publicly commented on the case. As the tournament progresses, the issue could become a recurring distraction for organisers, especially if other officials or players face similar barriers. For now, the World Cup goes on—but without one of Africa's most respected referees.