SOMALI WORLD CUP REFEREE DENIED ENTRY TO UNITED STATES. (PHOTO).

 Somali World Cup Referee Denied Entry to United States

Award-winning Somali referee, Omar Artan, has been denied entry into the United States despite holding a valid visa, according to a senior official in Somalia’s sports ministry.

Artan, who is set to become the first Somali referee to officiate at the FIFA World Cup finals, was stopped at Miami International Airport and subsequently returned to Istanbul, where he had been residing.

The reason for the denial was not immediately disclosed. However, Somalia is among the countries affected by a travel ban introduced by the administration of Donald Trump.

Reacting to the development, Ciise Aden Abshir, a senior adviser to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and a former national team captain, described Artan as one of Africa’s most respected referees.

“Omar Artan is among Africa’s most respected referees and deserves the support of the entire football community,” Abshir told AFP on Monday.

He added that preventing the referee from entering the United States and officiating scheduled matches was unfair and contrary to the principles of the sport.

“Denying him entry to the United States and preventing him from officiating scheduled matches harms not only him personally but also undermines football’s commitment to fairness, merit, and the spirit of fair play,” Abshir said.

Artan was among the 52 match officials selected by FIFA to officiate at the World Cup finals scheduled to take place in the United States, Canada and Mexico between June and July.

Since becoming a FIFA-accredited referee in 2018, Artan has officiated matches in Somalia’s domestic league and has steadily risen through the ranks of international football officiating.

He also took charge of matches during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Algeria and was named Men’s Referee of the Year by the Confederation of African Football in 2025.

In April, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud praised Artan after he became the first Somali selected to officiate at a World Cup finals tournament.

“I commend the effort, professionalism, and integrity shown by referee Omar, as he has become a symbol of inspiration for the new generation of Somalis,” the president said.