FIFA confirms match official will miss tournament after arrival in Miami; immigration concerns cited by US authorities.
Image: BBC
The United States has denied entry to Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was scheduled to officiate at the FIFA World Cup, according to the US Customs and Border Protection.
Artan arrived at Miami International Airport from Istanbul on Saturday but was deemed inadmissible due to unspecified vetting concerns, the agency said. He was subsequently refused entry into the country.
The decision was later confirmed by FIFA, which stated that Artan would no longer participate in the tournament.
A FIFA spokesperson said the organisation had no role in immigration decisions and that host nations retain full authority over visa approvals and entry permissions.
Artan had been selected among the 52 referees for the World Cup across United States, Canada and Mexico.
He had previously officiated in major international competitions, including the Africa Cup of Nations, and was widely regarded as one of Somalia’s top referees.
Officials noted that Artan had been active in international football since becoming a FIFA-listed referee in 2018.
The incident has drawn attention amid broader concerns about immigration policies and entry restrictions affecting participants in international sporting events.
FIFA reiterated that while it selects match officials, entry approval ultimately lies with the host countries involved in staging the tournament.
