Somali Referee Omar Artan Denied Entry to US Ahead of World Cup Duty

Somali Referee Omar Artan Denied Entry to US Ahead of World Cup Duty

Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan has reportedly been denied entry into the United States, according to a sports ministry official who spoke to AFP on Monday.

Artan, who was set to become the first referee from Somalia to officiate at a FIFA World Cup finals, was scheduled to travel for preparations ahead of the tournament when he was refused entry at the US border.

The development is seen as a setback for Somalia’s football community, which had celebrated his historic appointment as a milestone for the country’s representation on the global stage.

While officials have not yet provided detailed reasons for the decision, the Somali sports ministry confirmed the incident and said it is engaging relevant authorities to resolve the matter.

Artan’s appointment had been widely praised as a breakthrough moment for Somali football refereeing, reflecting years of progress in the country’s sporting development despite long-standing security and infrastructural challenges.

The situation has sparked concern among football stakeholders, who are calling for clarity on the circumstances surrounding the travel restriction, especially given the referee’s official role in FIFA-related duties.

Neither FIFA nor US authorities had issued an immediate public statement at the time of filing this report.

Somali Referee Omar Artan Denied Entry to US Ahead of World Cup Duty