Somali Referee Denied US Entry Ahead of 2026 World Cup, Says He Was Detained for Hours

MIAMI, United States — Somali referee Omar Artan has revealed that he was subjected to an 11-hour immigration interview before being denied entry into the United States, a decision that has cost him a place among the officials selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Artan, who had been appointed as part of the officiating team for the tournament, was removed from FIFA’s list of match officials on Monday after US authorities barred him from entering the country through Miami International Airport.

Speaking to The New York Times, the Somali official said he arrived in the United States with all the necessary travel documents, including a valid visa, but was stopped by immigration authorities upon arrival and questioned for several hours before being deported.

The referee said he was interrogated for 11 hours before being transferred to a holding cell, where he remained for additional hours ahead of a return flight to Istanbul, Turkey.

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

“I am very, very disappointed. I’m just simply a referee who’s trying to live his dream — the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup.”

World Cup Dream Cut Short

No official explanation has been provided by US immigration authorities regarding the decision to deny Artan entry into the country.

The incident comes amid stricter immigration measures introduced under the administration of Donald Trump, with Somalia among the countries affected by recent travel restrictions.

Artan’s removal from the World Cup officiating roster marks a significant setback for the referee, who was widely regarded as one of Africa’s top match officials.

The 2025 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Referee of the Year had been on course to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a FIFA World Cup, a milestone achievement for both his country and East African football.

Neither FIFA nor US immigration authorities had publicly commented on the matter as of press time.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is scheduled to begin this week, with officials, teams and supporters arriving from around the world for football’s biggest tournament.

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A Lagos-based journalist with a passion for disseminating factual information and a deep appreciation for good music, good food, movies, and beautiful cars. He hopes to travel the world someday, documenting its beauty and diverse cultures through his storytelling.