Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been banned from entering the United States, where he was scheduled to become the first official from his country to referee matches at the FIFA World Cup.

The reason for the decision by authorities at Miami International Airport to ban Artan from entering the United States was not immediately clear, but Somalia is among several countries listed on a travel ban list approved by the administration of President Donald Trump.

Later, FIFA announced that Artan had been removed from officiating World Cup matches as a result of being banned from entering the United States.

A FIFA spokesperson said: “FIFA can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will not be able to train or officiate at the 2026 World Cup after being banned from entering the United States.”

The football federation emphasized that it has no authority to influence the decision, explaining that this responsibility lies solely with the host countries of the tournament, primarily the United States.

The spokesperson added: “FIFA is not involved in immigration procedures in the host country, including visa decisions, and we have been informed by the authorities that Mr. Artan’s situation will not change at present.”

They continued: “In line with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately decides who receives a visa and who is allowed to enter the country.”

A spokesperson for the US Customs and Border Protection agency said that Artan was banned following a routine inspection.

He explained: “During processing procedures, the traveler underwent additional inspection, which is a routine part of the Customs and Border Protection screening process when officers need to verify information or determine admissibility.”

He added: “After inspection, it was determined that the traveler, a World Cup football referee, was inadmissible due to vetting concerns, and his entry was banned.”

Somali referee Omar Artan. (Agencies)

He continued: “Despite the circumstances I am going through, I am in a positive mood and focused on the upcoming challenges in my refereeing career.”

He added: “I would like to thank the football family for their messages, and I wish my colleagues all the best and success during the World Cup. I look forward to joining them again in future competitions.”

Sisi Aden Abshir, senior adviser at the Somali Ministry of Youth and Sports and former national team captain, said: “Preventing him from entering the United States and depriving him of officiating scheduled matches does not harm him personally only, but also undermines football’s commitment to the values of fairness, merit, and fair play.”

Abshir added that Artan had a valid US entry visa, revealing that the 34 year old referee returned by air to Istanbul, where he was residing. He considered that “Omar Artan is one of the most respected referees in Africa and deserves the support of the entire football community.”

Artan was among 52 referees appointed by FIFA to officiate matches at the World Cup finals scheduled to be held in Canada, Mexico, and the United States starting Thursday.

Artan has been officiating in the Somali national league since becoming a FIFA certified international referee in 2018. He has also officiated matches at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Algeria, and in 2025 he was selected by the Confederation of African Football as Men’s Referee of the Year.

In April, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud praised Artan after he made history as the first Somali selected to officiate matches at a World Cup finals.

Mohamud said: “I commend referee Omar for his effort, professionalism, and integrity, as he has become a symbol of inspiration for the new generation of Somalis."

Artan is considered one of the most prominent African referees in recent years. Born in Mogadishu in 1992, he began his refereeing career after a brief experience as an amateur player.

He received his international badge in 2018, before making history as the first Somali referee to officiate at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2023 during the match between Tunisia and Namibia.

Artan has stood out on the African stage after officiating major matches in the CAF Champions League, including finals and decisive knockout stage games over the past two seasons.

He has also refereed matches in international youth tournaments, including the FIFA U-20 World Cup, in addition to multiple appearances in the Africa Cup of Nations.

His participation in the 2026 World Cup remains uncertain, pending resolution of his entry status into the United States before the start of the tournament.