Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan
Image: AFP
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan says his dream of officiating at the FIFA World Cup 2026 has been shattered after he was denied entry into the United States, despite travelling with what he described as valid documentation and a proper visa.
Artan was expected to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a World Cup finals. However, on Monday, he was summarily removed from FIFA's official list of tournament match officials after United States immigration authorities prevented him from entering the country upon his arrival at Miami International Airport.
While no official reason has yet been given for the decision, Somalia remains one of several nations heavily affected by stringent travel restrictions originally introduced by Donald Trump's administration.
Expressing his profound heartbreak over the situation, Artan admitted the decision has left him completely devastated. "I am very, very disappointed," Artan told the New York Times. "I am simply a referee who is trying to live his dream — the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup."
Artan explained that he was subjected to a grueling immigration interview that lasted 11 hours before being formally detained and turned back. "I had the right papers and everything. I had the right visa," he stated.
Following the lengthy interrogation, Artan was moved to a holding cell where he was detained for several more hours before being put onto a forced return flight to Istanbul, Turkey.
FIFA has since confirmed that Artan will play no part in the upcoming tournament. "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," the governing body said in an official statement.
"FIFA is not involved in host-country immigration processes, including visa decisions, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan's status will not change at this time."
A senior advisor to Somalia's Ministry of Youth and Sports has also confirmed that Artan was denied entry, reiterating that the historic official was travelling with fully compliant, valid legal documents.
IANS