U.S. immigration officials turned away a Somali referee chosen to work the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing security concerns tied to possible links with suspected terrorist group members.
Omar Abdulkadir Artan, 34, arrived at Miami International Airport over the weekend with a valid visa and diplomatic passport.
Immigration Officials Flag Alleged Terror Associations During Vetting
Customs and Border Protection officers pulled him aside for extra screening. After hours of inspection, they denied him entry and sent him back on a flight out of the country.
An administration official told CBS News on Wednesday, June 10, that agents found “derogatory information” during the review.
That included an “association” with suspected members of terror organizations. However, the nature and extent of those alleged ties remain unclear.
“This individual was seeking admission to the United States. Upon further inspection by CBP, derogatory information, including association with suspected members of terror organizations, was discovered, making the traveler ineligible for admission to the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA),” the official said.
Somalia has long struggled with al-Shabaab, the al-Qaeda-linked militant group that controls parts of the countryside and carries out frequent attacks across East Africa, including on civilians, government forces, and foreign targets.
The country is on the U.S. travel restrictions list, with tight vetting rules in place for national security reasons.
FIFA Confirms Removal From 2026 World Cup Officiating List
Artan had made history as the first Somali referee selected for a World Cup.
Named Africa’s top men’s referee in 2025 by the Confederation of African Football, he built a solid reputation over years of international matches, including at the Africa Cup of Nations.
He started in local Somali leagues before earning his FIFA badge in 2018.
FIFA confirmed the decision removes him from the officiating roster for the tournament, which the United States, Canada, and Mexico are hosting.
“FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications,” a spokesperson said.
“In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country.”
Back home in Mogadishu, Artan received a hero’s welcome, with supporters greeting him at the airport. He also met with Somali officials.
Also Read: Omar Artan: Story of Award-Winning Somali Referee Who Was Denied Entry Into the U.S
Some in Somalia viewed the denial as an insult to the country’s progress in football.
A senior adviser to the Ministry of Youth and Sports called Artan one of Africa’s most respected referees and said the move hurt the spirit of fair play.
The Trump administration has tightened borders and emphasized security screening, especially for visitors from high-risk countries.
Somalia appears on the expanded travel ban list signed last year. While the order includes exemptions for World Cup participants, officials still review each case individually.
Growing Scrutiny Over US Visa Screening Ahead of 2026 Tournament
CBP said it makes decisions “on a case-by-case basis using law enforcement, national security, and immigration information available at the time of inspection.”
The agency described Artan as “inadmissible due to vetting concerns.”
Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2026 Explained: How Teams Will Progress Out of the Group Stages in New Format
Border czar Tom Homan has said ICE’s main job during the event is protecting against national security threats.
Other teams and officials from countries like Iran have also faced visa delays or restrictions.
Some Iranian players and staff are operating under tight travel rules and training partly outside the U.S.
Artan, in earlier interviews, spoke about rising through the ranks of football in Mogadishu, getting injured, and switching to refereeing. He described the World Cup assignment as a dream for Somali football.
The tournament runs through mid-July. Games will take place in multiple U.S. cities, including Miami, where Artan hoped to work.
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