Somali World Cup referee says U.S. denied him entry despite visa and FIFA papers

A Somali referee selected for the FIFA World Cup said he was denied entry to the United States despite having a visa and FIFA documents, telling the New York Times he was “very, very disappointed” after being blocked from what he called the biggest dream of his life.

Omar Abdulkadir Artan arrived at Miami International Airport on Saturday after flying from Istanbul, five days before the first match of the tournament. He told the New York Times that border officials questioned him overnight, held him for several more hours and then placed him on a flight back to Istanbul.

“I am very, very disappointed,” Artan told the Times by phone from Istanbul. “I’m just simply a referee who’s trying to live his dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup.”

Artan said he had the proper visa, documents from FIFA and proof of his refereeing career, including photos and online records reviewed by border officials.

He said that officials asked him why he had traveled to the United States and questioned him about politics in Somalia, including Al Shabab, the militant group that controls parts of the country and has fought the Somali government for years.

“I think that they have a problem with my country,” Artan told the Times, adding that officials did not give him a reason for refusing him entry. He said he was expected to return to Mogadishu on Wednesday.

Artan said he had spent four years preparing for the World Cup, including FIFA courses in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

A spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said Artan was denied entry after a routine inspection process used when officers need to verify information or determine whether a traveler can be admitted.

“Following inspection, the traveler, a referee for the FIFA World Cup, was determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns and was denied entry,” the CBP spokesperson said.

FIFA said it is not involved in host-country immigration decisions and had been informed that Artan’s status would not be changed.

“In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country,” a FIFA spokesperson said.

Artan was named referee of the year in 2025 by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the governing body for soccer in Africa.

Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports said it was saddened by the circumstances that kept Artan from taking part in the tournament. The ministry said it worked with Somalia’s foreign ministry, the presidency, the U.S. government and FIFA to seek a quick resolution, but no solution was reached.

“Despite the circumstances, I am in a positive mood and I am focused on the next challenges in my refereeing career,” Artan said in a social media post. “I want to thank the football family for their messages and wish my colleagues all the best success during the World Cup and I look forward to joining them again in future competitions.”