FIFA has removed Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan from officiating duties at the 2026 World Cup after he was denied entry into the United States.
Artan, who was set to become the first Somali referee at a World Cup finals, was stopped at Miami International Airport and redirected, according to reports. He is currently in Turkey.
The Somali Football Federation has sought clarification from FIFA over the decision, while U.S. immigration authorities have not given an official reason for the denial.
FIFA confirmed that Artan would not participate in the tournament or related training, stating that it does not control host-country immigration processes.
The incident has drawn attention in Somalia, where officials say the referee was travelling with valid documentation and had previously faced visa-related challenges.
Artan, a FIFA-listed referee since 2018, was among officials selected for the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
