Somali official Omar Artan, scheduled to become the first referee from his country to work at a World Cup final tournament, has been refused entry to the United States.
Artan, who was named the 2025 Confederation of African Football men’s referee of the year, was turned back at Miami International Airport and is now based in Turkey.
US immigration authorities have not published an explanation for the decision to send him back. Somalia, however, is listed among a set of nations included in travel restrictions introduced by the Trump administration.
Artan is one of the 52 referees FIFA has selected to officiate at the World Cup finals across Canada, Mexico and the United States. The tournament runs from 12 June to 19 July.
Within Somali domestic football, Artan works at the top level of the national league championships. He earned FIFA referee status in 2018 and has also taken charge of matches at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
