SOMALI REF AXED FROM WORLD CUP

Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan has been dropped from officiating at the World Cup after being barred from entering the United States, world football’s governing body FIFA said on Monday.

A FIFA spokesperson confirmed in a statement that Artan, who was refused entry to the US after arriving at Miami International Airport on Saturday, would play no part in the World Cup.

“FIFA can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States,” a FIFA spokesperson told AFP.

FIFA emphasised that it was powerless to influence the decision, which it said was the sole preserve of tournament co-hosts the United States.

“FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan’s status will not be changed at present,” the spokesperson said.

“In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country.”

A spokesperson for United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said Artan was denied entry following a routine inspection.

“During processing, the traveller underwent additional inspection, a routine part of CBP’s inspection process when officers need to verify information or determine admissibility,” the CBP spokesperson said.

Somalia is one of several countries on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump’s administration as part of a broader immigration crackdown.

A government advisor in Mogadishu told AFP earlier Monday that Artan – who would have been the first Somali to referee at a World Cup finals – had a valid visa for the US.

Artan was among the 52 referees announced by FIFA for the World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

He has been officiating in the Somali national football league championships since he became a FIFA referee in 2018.

He also officiated at the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Algeria, and in 2025 he was named by the Confederation of African Football as men’s referee of the year – SuperSport.