Artan, 34, had travelled to the United States as part of preparations for the tournament but was stopped at Miami International Airport. He is currently in Turkey after being repatriated, with no official explanation provided for the decision.
FIFA clarified that it has no role in immigration procedures in host countries, stressing that the issuance of visas and entry permits is solely the responsibility of the host state. According to the governing body, it has been informed that the referee’s visa situation will not be reconsidered at this stage, making his participation in the tournament impossible.
US authorities have not publicly disclosed the reason for the entry denial. However, Somalia is included in a list of countries subject to travel restrictions imposed by Washington as part of national security policies.
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Born in Mogadishu, Omar Artan is regarded as one of the most promising referees in African football. He grew up during Somalia’s civil war and built his career in international refereeing, becoming a rising figure on the continent.
He was on the verge of becoming the first Somali referee to officiate at a World Cup finals tournament. In response to the decision, he thanked FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for their support, saying he remains focused on his career and future international opportunities.
The absence of Omar Abdulkadir Artan from the 2026 World Cup has also sparked debate about the impact of visa restrictions on refereeing and technical staff appointments in major international competitions.
