Nairobi, Kenya, June 8, 2026 — A diplomatic and sporting controversy has erupted as FIFA-listed Somali referee Omar Artan, selected to officiate at the upcoming World Cup, was denied entry into the United States, one of the tournament’s host nations.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection authorities rejected Artan’s entry request outright, despite his official FIFA accreditation for the global football event.
Diplomatic passport fails to secure entry
Artan’s journey to obtain clearance had already faced hurdles when standard visa applications proved difficult. The Somali Embassy in Nairobi intervened by issuing him a diplomatic passport, yet this did not sway the stringent immigration policies of U.S. authorities, who maintain rigorous entry requirements for travelers from the Horn of Africa.
As of now, no official explanation has been provided by either the Somali Football Federation or U.S. consular services regarding the refusal.
A setback for Africa’s top referee
The exclusion of Omar Artan deals a significant blow to continental football. The Somali official recently officiated the CAF Champions League final between Egypt’s Pyramids FC and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, earning him the prestigious title of CAF African Referee of the Year 2025.
This incident raises concerns about the mobility of accredited officials and athletes during major international sporting events hosted in the U.S., especially as the World Cup prepares to bring together teams from across the globe.
