World Cup 2026: Somali referee Omar Artan had ‘the right papers and the right visa’

Somali judge Omar Artan said he was subjected to an 11-hour immigration interview before being denied entry to the US for the World Cup despite having the “proper paperwork” and “proper visa”.

Artan, who was set to become the first Somali referee at the World Cup finals, was disqualified. List of officials on Monday After being denied entry into the country at Miami International Airport.

No reason for Artan’s return to the country has been given by US immigration officials, but Somalia is on a travel ban list introduced by the administration of President Donald Trump.

After talks with US officials, world governing body FIFA said Artan would miss the tournament.

“I’m so, so sorry.” Artan told the New York Times., External. “I’m simply a referee trying to live the dream – the biggest dream of my life is to come to the World Cup.”

FIFA’s statement on the decision read: “FIFA confirms that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will not be able to train or officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being banned from entering the United States.”

“FIFA is not involved in the host country’s immigration procedures, including visa adjudication, and has been informed by officials that Mr. Artan’s status will not change at this time.”

A senior adviser to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports confirmed to the BBC that they were denied entry and said Artan was traveling with legal documents.

An official at the Somali embassy in Nairobi told the BBC that Artan’s diplomatic passport was specifically issued to ease his travel after earlier visa problems.

“I had the right papers and everything. I had the right visa,” Artan said.

After an 11-hour immigration interview, Artan said, he was taken to a separate holding cell where he was held for several hours before being put on a flight back to Istanbul, Turkey.

Andrew Giuliani, who heads the White House task force on the World Cup, said in a statement to the BBC World Service: “While I can’t go into contempt, what I can tell you is that it was the right decision by Customs and Border Protection and I support that decision.”

Artan can’t stay outside the United States and only played referee matches in Canada or Mexico.

Referee chief Pierluigi Collina has set up a training center for 52 referees and 88 assistant referees for the tournament in Miami.

All on-site officials must remain on base in Florida for training, preparation and safety.

In December, Trump told reporters that the U.S. does not want and should have Somali refugees “Go back to where you came from.”

“I think they have a problem with my country,” Artan added.