Somalian referee Omar Artan will miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being denied entry into the United States.
The 2025 CAF Referee of the Year had been named among FIFA’s 52 selected match officials and was expected to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a World Cup.
However, FIFA confirmed his exclusion after US authorities declined to grant him entry. Although no official reason was provided, Somalia is among several countries affected by a travel ban introduced during President Donald Trump’s administration.
FIFA, as quoted by the BBC, stated: “In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country.”
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