CAF Referee of the Year 2025 Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been denied entry into the United States, effectively ending his chance to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Artan was set to make history as the first Somali referee ever selected for a World Cup. The top official was turned back at a U.S. port of entry and forced to return home. No clear reason for the denial has been given so far, according to reports by journalist Romain Molina.
The incident comes as Somalia is among countries currently facing U.S. travel restrictions. Most Somali nationals are barred from obtaining certain visa categories, with limited exemptions for diplomats and cases deemed in the U.S. national interest. It’s unclear if Artan’s FIFA accreditation fell under any exemption.
FIFA has not issued a comment on Artan’s case. The Somali Football Federation has also remained silent as of publication.
The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada, kicks off next year. Losing Artan is a major blow for African refereeing and for Somalia, which has been pushing for greater representation on the global football stage.
“Absolute madness just before the tournament kicks off,” one football official told reporters.
FIFA is expected to confirm final referee selections and replacements in the coming months. We’ll update this story if FIFA, U.S. authorities, or the Somali Football Federation release a statement.
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