Exclusive: Somali referee Omar Artan secures US visa, cleared to officiate at 2026 FIFA World Cup

Exclusive: Somali referee Omar Artan secures US visa, cleared to officiate at 2026 FIFA World Cup
Exclusive: Somali referee Omar Artan secures US visa, cleared to officiate at 2026 FIFA World Cup - Somali international referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan. Pic handout.
Somali international referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan. Pic handout.

A FIFA representative confirmed the development in a statement to The Eastleigh Voice, noting that the matter had been concluded and that Omar would now be part of the officiating team at the tournament.

Somali international referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has now secured his United States visa, clearing the final administrative hurdle that had placed uncertainty over his participation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he is set to make history as the first Somali official appointed to the tournament.
The development follows growing concern in recent weeks, as other match officials selected for the World Cup had already completed their travel documentation and begun final preparations ahead of the tournament, set to run from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada and Mexico, while Omar’s visa process remained unresolved.
A FIFA representative confirmed the development in a statement to The Eastleigh Voice, noting that the matter had been concluded and that Omar would now be part of the officiating team at the tournament.

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“I can confirm that the visa issues have been fully resolved and he will now be available to officiate at the FIFA World Cup,” the FIFA representative, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said on Thursday.
Omar’s appointment in April by FIFA marked a landmark moment for Somali football, earning him recognition as the first referee from the country to be selected for a World Cup.
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His rise to the global stage has been built on years of steady progression through the ranks of African football. He became a FIFA-listed referee in 2018 and has since taken charge of matches in major Confederation of African Football (CAF) competitions, steadily building his profile on the continent.

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In 2024, Omar broke new ground when he became the first Somali referee to officiate at the Africa Cup of Nations, overseeing the group-stage fixture between Tunisia and Namibia. He has also featured in CAF Champions League matches, further strengthening his reputation at an elite level.
His selection for the World Cup was widely welcomed in Somalia, with football stakeholders describing it as a significant milestone for the country in international football and a reflection of the growing recognition of Somali officials on the global stage.

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