Somali Referee Prohibited from Entering the United States

Somali referee Omar Artan, who was slated to become the first from his country to officiate at the World Cup finals, has been denied entry to the United States.

Artan, the 2025 Confederation of African Football men's referee of the year, was barred from entering the country at Miami International Airport and is now in Turkey.

US immigration authorities have not released a reason for Artan's repatriation, but Somalia is among several nations on a travel‑ban list established during President Donald Trump’s administration.

Artan is one of the 52 referees announced by FIFA to officiate at the World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States, which run from 12 June to 19 July.

An official in the Somali national football league championships, Artan became a FIFA referee in 2018 and has officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).