Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan is not going to participate on this summer time’s World Cup after he was denied entry into the United States, FIFA confirmed on Monday.
When requested about Artan’s case, a US Customs and Border Protection spokesperson instructed NCS that he underwent extra inspection upon arriving in Miami following a flight from Istanbul.
“During processing, the traveler underwent additional inspection, a routine part of CBP’s inspection process when officers need to verify information or determine admissibility,” the spokesperson stated. “Following inspection, the traveler, a referee for the FIFA World Cup, was determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns and was denied entry.”
Somalia is one of the 39 nations affected by the Trump administration’s journey ban. The CBP spokesperson didn’t present particulars on why Artan was refused entry, however nationals of nations listed below Trump’s journey ban are positioned below extra scrutiny.
Artan was named Africa’s top male referee in 2025 and was chosen by the Confederation of African Football to participate on this yr’s World Cup.
“FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr. Artan’s status will not be changed at present,” a FIFA spokesperson stated in a press release. “In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country.”
The information of Artan’s ban comes after different nations, notably Iran, have additionally had some points with entry into the United States amid the Trump administration’s stringent immigration insurance policies.
The president of Iran’s soccer federation, Mehdi Taj, stated Sunday that the Iranian soccer group had been granted permission to enter the US for the tournament, however “only one day before the match,” in accordance to semi-official Iranian media, sparking accusations of unfair remedy.
Amir Ghalenoei, Iran’s head coach, added that some administration employees, media personnel and an government director have nonetheless not been granted permission to attend the match.