Somali Referee Banned From United States and World Cup
Omar Abdulkadir Artan is a referee from Somalia. He was stopped at Miami International Airport in the United States.
He was denied entry after an 11-hour interview. FIFA then removed him from the 2026 World Cup.
He would have been the first Somali to referee a World Cup game. Artan was named Africa's best male referee in 2025.
FIFA had put him on its final list two months ago. Somalia is one of 39 countries on the Trump travel ban list.
A Trump official told CNN that checks found links to suspected terror group members. No further details were given.
Artan returned home to Somalia. He was welcomed back as a hero. He vowed to referee at the 2030 World Cup.
Klear Note — The World Cup is soccer's biggest event, held every four years. Somalia is on a US travel ban list. Referees must enter the host country to work at the tournament.
Key Terms 3
- FIFA The global body that runs world football and the World Cup
- Travel ban A rule blocking people from certain countries entering the United States
- 2026 World Cup The football World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico