Award-winning Somali referee Omar Altan has been banned from getting into the USA and faraway from officiating on the World Cup, FIFA introduced Monday.
A FIFA spokesperson confirmed in a press release that Artan, who was refused entry to the USA after arriving at Miami Worldwide Airport on Saturday, won’t play within the World Cup.
Artan was presupposed to be the primary Somali to referee at a World Cup.
“FIFA has confirmed that match official Omar Abdulkadir Altan can be unable to follow and officiate on the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a result of he has been refused entry to the USA,” a spokesperson informed AFP information company.
FIFA harassed that it was the only real authority of the USA, the match’s co-host, and that it couldn’t affect selections.
“FIFA is just not concerned in host nation immigration procedures, together with visa checks, and we’ve got been knowledgeable by the authorities that Mr. Artan’s standing won’t change at the moment,” the spokesperson stated.
“As with earlier FIFA occasions, the host nation’s authorities will finally resolve who will obtain a visa and who can be allowed entry into their nation.”
A spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Safety (CBP) stated Artan was denied entry following routine screening.
A CBP spokesperson stated: “Through the course of, the traveler underwent extra testing. This can be a routine a part of CBP’s testing course of when officers must confirm info or decide admissibility.”
“Because of the inspection, the traveler, who’s a referee for the FIFA World Cup, was decided to be ineligible for entry attributable to screening considerations and was refused entry.”
Somalia is one among a number of nations on a journey ban listing put in place by President Donald Trump’s administration as a part of a broader immigration crackdown.
Artan stated in a press release to AFP that he wished to deal with the long run.
“Regardless of the circumstances, I’m feeling constructive and targeted on the following problem in my refereeing profession,” he stated.
“I want to thank my soccer household for his or her messages and need all my colleagues the most effective of success on the World Cup and look ahead to becoming a member of them once more in future competitions.”
“Image of inspiration”
Somalia defended Artan, who was banned from getting into the nation.
“We reaffirm our unwavering assist for Omar Altan and have full confidence in his integrity, professionalism and continued contribution to the event of soccer in Somalia and overseas,” the nation’s sports activities ministry stated in a press release.
Artan was one among 52 referees introduced by FIFA for the World Cup finals to be held in Canada, Mexico and the USA.
Since changing into a FIFA referee in 2018, he has officiated within the Somali Nationwide Soccer League Championship and in addition officiated within the newest version of the African Cup of Nations.
In 2025, he was named Male Referee of the Yr by the Confederation of African Soccer.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud praised Altan in April after he made historical past by changing into the primary Somali to be chosen to referee a World Cup ultimate.
“I commend the trouble, professionalism and integrity proven by referee Omar. He has develop into an emblem of inspiration for a brand new technology of Somalis,” Mohamud stated.
