Somali Referee Omar Artan Banned from Entering USA

Omar Artan, a Somali referee, has been banned from entering the United States, which impacts his ability to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup scheduled from June 12 to July 19. Artan was recently recognized as the Confederation of African Football's Men's Referee of the Year for 2025.

He is currently located at Miami International Airport but is facing repatriation issues due to a travel ban list that includes Somalia, introduced during Donald Trump's administration. Artan is among 52 referees announced by FIFA to officiate at the World Cup, and he has previously officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) since becoming a FIFA referee in 2018.