They lost my dream because of a problem with my country. Referee Artan reveals the scenes of his detention in America.

Somalia referee Omar Artan said he underwent an 11-hour immigration interview before being denied entry to the US for the 2026 World Cup despite having the “correct documents” and the “correct visa”.

Artan, who was supposed to be the first Somali to compete in a World Cup final, was removed from the official list on Monday after he was denied entry to the country at Miami International Airport.

US immigration authorities have not given a reason for Ertan’s return to his homeland, but Somalia is one of several countries on a travel ban issued by US President Donald Trump’s administration.

After speaking with the US authorities, FIFA announced that Artan will miss the tournament.

“I’m very, very disappointed,” Artan told the New York Times. “I’m just a referee trying to live his dream, the biggest dream of my life is to participate in the World Championship.”

Regarding the decision, it is stated in the statement released by the International Football Federation (FIFA).“The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) confirms that referee Omar Abdelkader Artan will not be able to train and compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being banned from entering the United States.”

The statement says: “FIFA is not involved in the host country’s immigration procedures, including the determination of visa applications, and has been informed by the authorities 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 Artan was denied entry and said he was traveling with valid documents.

An official at the Somali embassy in Nairobi told the BBC that Artan’s diplomatic passport had been issued specifically to facilitate his travel after difficulties in obtaining a visa in the past.

“I had the right papers and everything, I had the right visa,” Artan said. “I think they have a problem with my country.”

Ertan added that after an 11-hour immigration interview, he was moved to a separate holding cell where he was held for several hours before being put on a flight back to Istanbul, Turkey.

Speaking to the BBC World Service, Andrew Giuliani, who heads the White House World Cup Task Force, said:

Artani will not be able to stay outside the US and referee matches in Canada or Mexico, as head referee Pierluigi Collina has established a training center in Miami for the tournament’s 52 referees and 88 assistant referees.

All field officials must remain at the Florida base for training, preparation and security purposes.

Last December, Trump told reporters that he did not want Somali immigrants in the United States and that they should “go back to where they came from.”