US bars Somali referee Omar Artan from 2026 World Cup over terror links
The 34-year-old, named Africa’s referee of the year in 2025, was returned to Mogadishu after an 11-hour detention at Miami International Airport, ending his bid to officiate at the tournament.
Somali referee Omar Artan has been denied entry to the United States and barred from officiating at the 2026 World Cup following a determination by US authorities that he is linked to suspected terror organisations. The 34-year-old, who was named Africa’s referee of the year in 2025, was turned back at Miami International Airport on Monday despite holding a diplomatic passport and a valid single-entry visa.
A Trump administration source confirmed that US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) discovered derogatory information during inspection, citing an association with suspected members of terror organisations as the basis for his inadmissibility under the Immigration and Nationality Act. The source stated that the administration would not allow any security threat to enter the country, describing the decision as a matter of national security.
Artan underwent an 11-hour immigration interview before being placed on a flight back to Somalia. He told the New York Times that border officials specifically questioned him about his links to the Somali militant group Al-Shabaab, a claim he denied, stating he had told officials he knew nothing about the group. He was subsequently returned to Istanbul, Turkey, before continuing his journey home.
Andrew Giuliani, who leads the White House Task Force on the World Cup, publicly supported the ban. Speaking to the BBC World Service, Giuliani stated that while he could not disclose the specific derogatory information, the decision by customs and border patrol was correct. He emphasised that the administration’s priority was preventing security threats from entering the United States.
Upon arriving at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu on Wednesday, Artan was greeted by government officials, football dignitaries, and crowds of supporters. He met with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at the Presidential Palace and addressed the media, vowing to continue his career and aim for the 2030 World Cup. Artan urged Somali youth not to be demoralised by the incident, stating that he would defend the nation’s honour and that the incident was merely an unfortunate setback in his professional journey.
The exclusion of Artan, one of 52 referees selected for the tournament, has drawn international attention, including public support from World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who affirmed Artan’s professional achievements regardless of the visa outcome. Artan is scheduled to attend a public event at Mogadishu Stadium on Wednesday afternoon, where he is expected to be welcomed by thousands more supporters.
The incident occurs against a backdrop of heightened immigration restrictions, with Somalia included on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump in June 2025. Trump had previously made disparaging remarks about Somalia in the lead-up to an immigration enforcement operation, describing the country as lacking structure. Despite the political tensions, Artan’s return has been framed domestically as a moment of national pride, with local residents and social media figures celebrating his resilience.
