Somali World Cup referee barred from entry to the U.S. on arrival in Miami; Artan was to become Somalia’s first World Cup official. Current role: Somali football referee.
Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been denied entry to the United States after arriving at Miami International Airport and will not officiate at the 2026 World Cup. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the traveller underwent additional inspection and was found inadmissible for vetting concerns; FIFA said it cannot intervene in host-country immigration decisions.