Omar Artan, a referee from Somalia selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, was denied entry into the United States at Miami International Airport due to concerns regarding his background. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) cited 'vetting concerns' and derogatory information related to suspected ties with terrorist organizations as the reasons for his inadmissibility under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Artan arrived in Miami on June 10, 2026, after traveling from Istanbul and underwent an 11-hour interview with immigration officials upon his arrival. Despite having the necessary documentation, he was informed that he was ineligible for admission. Artan expressed disappointment over the decision, stating that he felt he was being judged based on his nationality. He was among 52 referees selected for the tournament and would have been the first Somali referee in World Cup history.
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FIFA World Cup referee denied entry to the US over vetting concerns
Omar Artan, a Somali referee selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, was denied entry into the U.S. at Miami International Airport due to concerns about his background, including alleged ties to terrorist organizations. Despite having the required documentation, he was deemed inadmissible after a lengthy inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
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World Cup referee denied entry to the US due to ties to ‘members of terror organizations’
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FIFA World Cup referee denied entry to the US over vetting concerns
