09.06.2026 14:22
FIFA announced that Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was denied entry to the US, will not be able to officiate at the 2026 World Cup. Stating that visa decisions belong to the host country, FIFA declared that the situation will not change.
The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) announced that Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was denied entry to the USA, will not be able to officiate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
MAJOR SCANDAL
In its statement, FIFA stated that the situation of the 34-year-old Somali referee could not be changed, saying, "FIFA is not involved in the host country's immigration processes, including visa evaluations, and has been informed by the authorities that Mr. Artan's situation will not be changed at this time."
RETURNED TO ISTANBUL
Stating that host countries are the sole authority on visa issuance, FIFA said, "In line with previous FIFA organizations, the host government ultimately decides who receives a visa and who is allowed entry into the country."
Somali football referee Artan was stopped at Miami International Airport, denied entry to the USA, and sent back to Istanbul yesterday.
The experienced official, who was chosen as referee of the year in 2025 by the Confederation of African Football, was preparing to become the first Somali referee to officiate in World Cup history.