By Gloria Drealomalicha
One of Africa’s most highly regarded football referees, Omar Abdulkadir Artan, has reportedly been denied entry into the United States and placed on a return flight to Istanbul after arriving at Miami International Airport ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Artan, a 34-year-old Somali official widely recognised for his performances on the continental stage, was reportedly stopped by immigration authorities upon arrival despite travelling with a diplomatic passport issued with the support of the Somali Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya.
According to reports, the diplomatic travel document was arranged to help address visa-related difficulties the referee had previously encountered while preparing for international assignments.
Artan had travelled from Kenya, transiting through Turkey before landing in Miami. However, he was reportedly refused entry and returned to Istanbul. Authorities have yet to provide a public explanation for the decision.
The development has raised questions within football circles, particularly because FIFA had recently indicated that issues surrounding the referee’s travel documentation had been resolved.
In a previous statement, football’s governing body said the matter had been “fully resolved” and confirmed that Artan would be available to officiate at matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The incident comes amid ongoing scrutiny of US immigration policies affecting nationals from several countries, including Somalia, which remains on President Donald Trump’s travel ban list.
Trump has previously made controversial remarks about Somalia and Somali immigrants in the United States, comments that have drawn criticism from human rights advocates and immigrant communities.
For Artan, the setback represents a significant disappointment after what has been a landmark period in his career. The Somali referee was honoured as Africa’s Best Referee of 2025 at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards in November, recognition of his outstanding contributions to the game across the continent.
It remains unclear whether the latest development will affect his participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with FIFA and US authorities yet to issue further statements on the matter.
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