Miami: A Somali referee missed officiating the World Cup after the US government denied him entry into the country. Omar Artan, a renowned Somali referee, was denied entry into Miami International Airport in the United States by immigration officials. This will prevent him from officiating at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which begins on June 11, 2026.
According to Thai News Agency, Artan has been a FIFA referee since 2018, officiating numerous international matches, particularly continental championships like the African Cup of Nations. This led to his selection as one of the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) representatives for the 2026 World Cup. Although Somalia was listed as one of the 12 "high-risk" nations by the US government, the Somali government, through its embassy in Kenya, had arranged a diplomatic passport for Artan. However, he was ultimately denied entry into the country, and he has since flown from Miami to Turkey.