U.S. Officials Deny Entry to Somali Referee Over Alleged Terror Links

U.S. immigration authorities rejected his diplomatic passport and single-entry visa. Artan, 34, was interrogated for 11 hours before officials told him he would not be allowed into the country.

U.S. government official stated that Artan was denied entry due to an alleged association with suspected members of terror organisations. Artan said border officials questioned him about links to the Somali militant group Al Shabab.

He told them he knew nothing about the organisation. "I had the right papers and everything. I had the right visa," Artan said. " After the denial, Artan was placed on a flight back to Turkey. FIFA officials in Istanbul assisted him before he boarded a connecting flight to Mogadishu.

The BBC reported that FIFA has committed to paying Artan his full World Cup salary even though he will take no part in the tournament. Referees receive the fee after the event concludes. Artan was named the 2025 Confederation of African Football men's referee of the year.

He has been invited to officiate the UEFA Super Cup between Paris St-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria on 12 August. In June 2025, Artan became the first Somali to officiate a continental final when he took charge of the second leg of Pyramids FC's African Champions League victory over Mamelodi Sundowns.

FIFA later appointed him to the U-20 World Cup in Chile, where he handled three matches including the third-place play-off.

He also refereed two group games at the Africa Cup of Nations at the end of 2025, having officiated at the tournament in 2024. Artan thanked "my people and my country" after returning to Somalia and said he intends to officiate at the 2030 World Cup.