Somali fifa referee barred from entering us for world cup
Nairobi, Kenya – June 8, 2026 – A major diplomatic and sports incident has erupted on the sidelines of World Cup preparations. Somali international referee Omar Artan, officially appointed by FIFA to officiate during the tournament, was denied entry into the United States, one of the host countries for the event.
US customs authorities immediately rejected the official’s entry request, despite his official accreditation issued by world football’s governing body. The decision came after a long and complex administrative journey for the Somali refereeing corps. Facing initial difficulties obtaining a standard visa, the Somali embassy in Nairobi had supported his application by issuing a diplomatic passport. However, this guarantee from the Somali state did not sway the stance of US immigration services, which maintain extremely strict admission criteria for nationals from the Horn of Africa.
Diplomatic passport not enough
Neither the Somali federation nor US consular authorities have yet provided an official justification for the refusal. This administrative block strikes one of the continent’s leading refereeing figures. Omar Artan comes off an exceptional season, notably marked by officiating the CAF Champions League return final between Pyramids FC and Mamelodi Sundowns. His performances earned him the title of Best African Referee of 2025 from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Hard blow for 2025 best african referee
The forced exclusion of a FIFA-accredited official revives the debate over guarantees of free movement for athletes and officials during major sporting events on US soil, just as the World Cup is set to bring together nations from around the globe.
