When the world’s biggest football tournament kicks off across three countries, some of the people who make it happen may not get past the airport. In June 2026, Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan – the 2025 African men’s referee of the year and the first Somali to be chosen to officiate at a World Cup finals – was denied entry to the United States at Miami International Airport and repatriated to Turkey. Despite holding a valid diplomatic passport and being on the official list of 52 match officials for the 2026 Fifa World Cup, Artan was barred by US customs authorities. World governing body Fifa confirmed he would miss the tournament, saying it was “not involved in host country immigration processes” and that “a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country.”
The travel ban at the heart of the incident stems from an executive order by US President Donald Trump’s administration that restricts entry from several countries, including Somalia. No specific reason for Artan’s denial was issued by US immigration authorities, but Andrew Giuliani, who leads the White House Task Force on the World Cup, said it was “the right decision by customs and border patrol.” The Somali Football Federation has contacted Fifa for clarification, and a senior adviser to Somalia’s ministry of youth and sports confirmed Artan had been travelling with valid documents.
“How visa bans like the US travel restriction on Somalia can impact major sporting tournaments, using the case of referee Omar Artan.”
The 2026 World Cup is being co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States – a format that means officials, players and fans from dozens of nations will need to cross multiple borders. The US has long maintained a travel ban on several mostly Muslim-majority countries, originally introduced in 2017, and its enforcement has raised concerns about whether the country can fulfil its obligations as a host nation. Somaila is one of the countries on that list, alongside Iran, Libya, Syria, Yemen, and others. The Politico EU report notes that the decision “comes amid concern that Trump administration policies will hamper preparations for the global sporting event.”
For UK readers, the case highlights what can happen when geopolitics collides with international sport. The UK has its own visa system, but as a frequent host of major events (from the 2012 Olympics to Euro 2020 matches), the principle of free movement for accredited participants is taken seriously. If a British official, coach or even fan were suddenly barred from entering a host country – or if the UK itself imposed bans that prevented overseas participants from competing – the consequences for tournaments and reputations could be severe. The Artan case is a reminder that a country’s immigration policies can directly affect the quality, fairness and global standing of a sporting event, and that sports governing bodies like Fifa have limited power to intervene.
Q: Why was Omar Artan denied entry to the US? No official reason has been given by US immigration authorities. However, Somalia is one of several countries on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump’s administration, which restricts entry from those nations. Artan had a valid diplomatic passport issued specifically to ease his travel after earlier visa difficulties.
Q: What is the US travel ban that affects Somalia? The US travel ban (often called the “Muslim ban”) was first imposed in 2017 and restricts entry from several countries, including Somalia, Iran, Libya, Syria, Yemen, and others. It has been upheld and expanded under successive administrations. Citizens of those countries face severe difficulties obtaining visas to enter the United States.
Q: Could this happen to other officials or players at the World Cup? Yes. The 2026 World Cup is co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the US. Any participant from a country on the US travel ban – or from other nations subject to visa restrictions – may face similar delays or denials. Fifa has stated it is not involved in host country immigration processes, so the decision rests solely with the host government.
What happens next is unclear. Artan is currently in Turkey, and the Somali Football Federation has sought urgent clarification from Fifa. Fifa has said that his status “will not be changed at present,” effectively ruling out any reversal before the tournament. The incident may reignite debate about the compatibility of the US travel ban with hosting a global sporting event, and whether other participants could face similar obstacles. For now, one of Africa’s top referees will watch the World Cup from home.