Somali referee Omar Artan, who would be the first from his country to play at a World Cup, was barred from entering the United States and is out of the 2026 tournament. He landed in Miami for final referee training, but faced an 11-hour interrogation by immigration agents. Despite having a valid visa and all the required documentation, he was considered inadmissible and put back on a plane heading to Mogadishu. The case occurred just a few days before the start of the World Cup and exposes weaknesses in the organization of the event, which has the United States as its main venue. Artan was one of 52 referees selected by FIFA for the tournament.
Artan, considered the main African referee at the moment, had a remarkable year in 2025. He took charge of the African Champions League final, between Pyramids FC and Mamelodi Sundowns, and played in three matches of the U20 World Cup in Chile, including the third place match. In 2026, he received a call-up for the Men’s Cup, the highlight of a career built over more than a decade. In a recent interview with BBC Somali, he had stated that “every referee’s ambition is to go to the World Cup” and that the call represented the completion of years of hard work. The American veto frustrated this dream just when Somalia would gain global visibility through football.
11th hour interrogation and immigration veto
Upon arriving in the United States, Omar Artan underwent a long vetting process that lasted 11 hours, followed by temporary detention before being deported. American authorities cited “vetting concerns” related to his nationality, as Somalia is on the list of countries with restrictions imposed by the Trump administration. The referee had all the correct documentation, including an official visa, but this was not enough to overcome the barriers imposed. The incident reinforces previous reports of difficulties faced by fans, managers and members of other delegations, such as Iran, which also reported obstacles.
Context of Trump’s policies and pressure on FIFA
Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, has cultivated close ties with Donald Trump in recent years, including handing him the organization’s first Peace Prize during the World Cup draw. However, the strict US immigration policies contrast with previous statements by FIFA, which has always defended unrestricted access for teams, fans and staff to host countries. Artan’s case is not isolated: there are reports of travel cancellations for Iraqi fans, restrictions on the Iranian delegation and widespread concerns about the presence of citizens of countries on the restricted list. After controversial World Cups in Russia and Qatar, the 2026 edition promised to be a moment to celebrate football, but political and logistical issues are dominating the news.
With Artan’s exclusion, FIFA had to reorganize its refereeing team just a few days before kickoff. The episode raises doubts about the entity’s real control over the event, especially off the pitch, and could affect the perception of neutrality and reception of the tournament. Human rights groups and fan associations are already questioning who actually runs the World Cup: FIFA or the internal policies of the host country. The next practical test should take place with the arrival of the Iranian team, scheduled for the next few days.
