By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS
Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan, who is set to become the first official from his country to referee at a FIFA World Cup finals, was denied entry into the United States, a Somali sports ministry official said on Monday.
The reason for Artan’s denial at Miami International Airport was not immediately known. However, Somalia is among several countries affected by a travel ban introduced by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.
“Omar Artan is among Africa’s most respected referees and deserves the support of the entire football community,” Ciise Aden Abshir, a senior advisor to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and a former national team captain, told AFP.
Artan had a valid visa for the US, Abshir said. He has flown back to Istanbul, where he has been staying.
“Denying him entry to the United States and preventing him from officiating scheduled matches harms not only him personally but also undermines football’s commitment to fairness, merit, and the spirit of fair play,” Abshir added.
Artan was among the 52 referees announced by FIFA to officiate at the June-July World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
He has been officiating in the Somali national football league championships since he became a FIFA referee in 2018.
The arbiter has also officiated at the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Algeria, and in 2025 he was named by the Confederation of African Football as men’s referee of the year.
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