Trump Administration Denies Entry to Somali World Cup Referee Bound for USA

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, an Anadolu Agency report citing Mehr News Agency states that American authorities denied entry to Omar Abdulkadir Artan, a third-time international referee from Somalia. Artan was scheduled to officiate in the 2026 World Cup competitions.

The 34-year-old Artan, who was recognized as the best referee in Africa in 2025, had previously been included by FIFA on the list of 52 primary referees for the 2026 World Cup. This selection was hailed as a historic achievement for African football and Somali officiating.

Reports indicate that Artan was stopped at Miami airport and denied permission to enter the United States before being returned to Istanbul Airport on Sunday. Media outlets have interpreted this incident within the context of immigration and travel restrictions to the U.S., which have also presented challenges for other sports federations and individuals from various countries.

As of now, neither FIFA nor the Somali Football Federation has issued an official statement regarding this development. It is noteworthy that Somalia is among the countries subject to certain travel restrictions imposed by the United States.