Omar Artan was set to become the first referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup after FIFA included him on its final list for the tournament. He is one of Africa’s top referees and was named the continent’s best male referee in 2025.
Artan was denied entry at Miami International Airport on Saturday due to vetting concerns, according to a statement from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The statement did not provide details of those concerns. FIFA subsequently removed him from the tournament’s referee list.
The Somalia Embassy in Kenya, which processed his visa, said Artan was issued a visa to travel to the U.S. last week. The United States is co-hosting the World Cup with Mexico and Canada, and Artan was due to join other World Cup referees at their training base in Miami.
Hundreds of supporters, government officials and members of Somalia’s football community gathered at Aden Adde International Airport before Artan arrived at about 8:30 a.m. local time. Supporters waving Somali flags crowded around him as he disembarked and draped him in the flag.
He was escorted by police officers to the airport’s VIP terminal, where he was welcomed by Somalia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, officials from the Somalia Football Federation and other dignitaries.
Artan thanked the Somali government, the Somali people and FIFA for their support. He said he plans to attend the next World Cup and urged Somalis to remain confident and defend the country’s name.
The decision to deny a FIFA-appointed match official entry to a World Cup host country drew criticism internationally and raised questions about the United States’ capacity to host the competition.
Somalia is among nearly 40 countries subject to new travel restrictions under the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote Tuesday on X that Artan’s expected milestone at this year’s World Cup stands regardless of the incident. He said Artan reached the summit of his profession and inspired a generation in Somalia, and that being kept off the pitch does not change that.