U.S. Denies Entry to Somali FIFA Referee Over Suspected Terror Ties Ahead of 2026 World Cup
Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied admission at Miami International Airport on 6 June 2026 after an 11-hour interview. U.S. officials cited national-security concerns tied to suspected terror-group associations.
ESPNU.S. Customs and Border Protection denied entry to Somali FIFA referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan at Miami International Airport on 6 June 2026 after determining he was inadmissible. CBP said further inspection uncovered derogatory information, including association with suspected members of terror organizations.
An administration official stated that officials concluded Artan posed a threat to national security and was therefore ineligible under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Artan arrived on a flight from Istanbul carrying a valid visa and diplomatic passport.
He underwent an 11-hour immigration interview before being placed in a holding cell and returned on a subsequent flight to Istanbul via the same route.
FIFA had selected Artan as one of 52 match officials for the 2026 World Cup. The organization confirmed he will be unable to train or officiate at the tournament. A FIFA spokesman said the organization had been told Artan’s status will not be changed at present.
FIFA stated it is not involved in host-country immigration or visa processes. CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott addressed the decision at a Washington event hosted by the Centre for Immigration Studies. Scott said travelers are regularly denied entry when they do not meet eligibility requirements or pose a threat, and that an individual’s profession does not override the law.
The Somali Football Federation described Artan’s initial appointment as a milestone for the East African nation. The federation said it had not received an official explanation from Washington, and Somali officials are continuing diplomatic efforts to secure his entry. com reported that Somalia is listed on the Trump administration travel ban with exemptions for World Cup athletes and staff.
Uk reported that all match officials are required to attend a training hub in Miami. Match officials are barred from refereeing games involving their own national team. Referees are also typically restricted from officiating matches involving countries from their own confederation during the group stage.
