Outcry as Somali referee Omar Artan denied US entry ahead of FIFA World Cup duties

Somalia’s Head of Refereeing and Chairman of the Referees Committee, Hassan Wiish, has lodged an official complaint with FIFA after Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry into the United States while travelling for FIFA World Cup-related duties.

According to the Somali Football Federation, Artan was stopped by immigration authorities upon arrival at Miami International Airport and was subsequently returned to Istanbul on Monday.

The incident has sparked concern within Somali football circles and prompted calls for an explanation from both FIFA and U.S. authorities.

Hassan, who oversees refereeing affairs in Somalia, has repeatedly raised the issue with FIFA and urged the world football governing body to intervene. The complaint argues that Artan was travelling on official football business and had been selected among referees expected to participate in activities linked to the FIFA World Cup.

Artan is one of Africa’s most respected football referees and was recently named Africa’s Best Referee for 2025 at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards in Rabat, Morocco. His selection for World Cup-related assignments was widely regarded as a major achievement for both Somalia and African football.

Sources within the Somali Football Federation said Artan travelled with the required documentation and was expected to take part in preparations connected to the tournament, which will be jointly hosted across North America.

The Somali Embassy in Nairobi had earlier confirmed that it facilitated Artan’s travel using a diplomatic passport. In a statement issued before his departure, the embassy said it had assisted with the necessary travel arrangements to enable him to undertake his official assignment.

The case has attracted wider attention because Somalia is among the countries affected by U.S. travel restrictions. Under current policies, many Somali nationals face limitations when applying for certain categories of visas, although exemptions exist for diplomats and individuals whose travel is deemed to be in the national interest of the United States.

It remains unclear why Artan was denied entry despite reportedly holding valid travel documents. At the time of publication, neither U.S. immigration authorities nor the Department of Homeland Security had publicly explained the reasons behind the decision.

The incident has also drawn political reaction in the United States. Minneapolis City Council member Jamal Osman criticised the decision and blamed immigration policies introduced under President Donald Trump.

In a statement, Osman questioned how a referee selected for one of football’s biggest tournaments could be prevented from entering the country despite reportedly having the necessary visa and travel clearance.

"Denying entry to Omar Abdulkadir Artan after a cleared visa is unacceptable. This is the direct result of U.S. immigration policy under Trump, and the FIFA World Cup allowed this disgrace to happen. The beautiful game is being betrayed. Boycott the U.S.-hosted World Cup," he said.

Osman reiterated his criticism in a separate message, saying, "The beautiful game is being betrayed. Boycott the U.S.-hosted World Cup".

The development has fuelled debate among football officials and supporters, many of whom are demanding clarity on the circumstances that led to the decision. Some have argued that the incident raises broader concerns about travel arrangements for international sporting officials attending events hosted in countries with strict immigration controls.

For Somalia, the matter carries particular significance because Artan is among the country’s most prominent sporting figures and has represented Somali football on the international stage for several years.