Nairobi, Kenya, June 8, 2026 — A major diplomatic and sporting controversy has erupted as Omar Artan, Somalia’s top FIFA-listed referee, was barred from entering the United States, one of the host nations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection authorities denied entry to the accredited match official despite his official FIFA accreditation, which should have granted him access under standard sporting protocols.
A diplomatic passport offered no protection
Obtaining a U.S. entry visa had already proven challenging for Artan and the Somali Football Federation. In response, the Somali Embassy in Nairobi expedited a diplomatic passport, assuming this would resolve any immigration hurdles. However, U.S. immigration officials maintained their stringent entry requirements, particularly for travelers from the Horn of Africa, rendering even diplomatic status ineffective in this case.
As of now, no official explanation has been issued by either Somali authorities or U.S. immigration services regarding the denial of entry.
World Cup referee’s exclusion deals a blow to African football
This administrative setback affects one of Africa’s most respected referees. Artan’s recent achievements include officiating the CAF Champions League final second leg between Pyramids FC and Mamelodi Sundowns, a performance that earned him the prestigious title of African Referee of the Year 2025 by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The unexpected denial of entry to a FIFA-accredited official raises serious concerns about the mobility of athletes and referees during international sporting events hosted in the U.S., especially as the World Cup prepares to bring together teams from across the globe.