World Cup 2026: Outrage as Somali referee Omar Artan is denied entry to the US despite FIFA appointment

With conscionable 3 days until the commencement of the 2026 World Cup, Somali referee Omar Artan has been denied introduction to the United States and sent backmost to Turkey.

The incidental has caused shockwaves crossed the shot world. Selected by FIFA arsenic 1 of 7 African referees to officiate astatine the 2026 World Cup — scheduled to tally from 11 June to 19 July crossed the United States, Mexico and Canada — Artan was refused admittance upon accomplishment connected American soil. 

? Named by FIFA to officiate during the World Cup, the Somali referee Omar Artan was denied introduction to U.S. territory. ?? Due to his difficulties successful obtaining a visa, helium had benefited from the enactment of the Somali embassy successful Nairobi, which enabled him to get a diplomatic… pic.twitter.com/xhslFnfsPJ — Polymarket FC (@PolymarketFC) June 8, 2026

Artan turned distant contempt diplomatic passport

Given the difficulties helium faced successful obtaining a visa — Somalia is listed among the countries taxable to President Donald Trump's question restrictions — Artan had acquired a diplomatic passport with the enactment of the Somali embassy successful Nairobi, according to French writer Romain Molina.

As reported by insider Micky Jnr, the referee had been forced to question from Kenya, transiting done Turkey earlier landing successful the United States. Upon arrival, helium was simply sent backmost to Turkey. Unless FIFA intervenes connected his behalf, helium volition not enactment successful the World Cup, a cruel stroke for an authoritative who was making past arsenic the archetypal Somali referee selected for a FIFA World Cup.

Widespread outrage crossed African football

The attraction of Artan has sparked fury, peculiarly crossed African shot circles. The Somali authoritative was named CAF's Best African Referee of the Year successful 2025, having antecedently officiated astatine the Africa Cup of Nations and taken complaint of a continental nine final.

The incidental has added to increasing frustrations implicit what galore comprehend arsenic the unchecked power of the Trump administration, successful evident disregard of agreements betwixt FIFA and the big nations.

On societal media, wherever choler is mounting, immoderate critics person already labelled this variation the "World Cup of shame." According to Molina, FIFA appears to beryllium allowing the United States to dictate the terms, leaving the governing assemblage successful a hard presumption conscionable days earlier the opening ceremony.

Neither FIFA nor US migration authorities person issued a elaborate connection regarding the incident. It remains unclear whether the concern is related to documentation, question requirements oregon different factors, though further accusation is expected successful the coming days.