US denies entry to Somali World Cup referee citing vetting concerns
The decision marks the first Somali official to be barred from the 2026 World Cup, with critics condemning the move as discriminatory while federal authorities insist admissibility is determined on a case-by-case basis.
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has confirmed that Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the country upon his arrival in Miami on Saturday. Artan, who is listed among FIFA’s 52 referees for the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada, was deemed inadmissible due to vetting concerns, according to a DHS spokesperson.
The denial prevents Artan from becoming the first Somali official to referee a World Cup match. While the DHS stated that Artan possessed a valid visa prior to travel, federal authorities clarified that participation in the tournament does not guarantee admissibility. Decisions at ports of entry are made on a case-by-case basis using law enforcement and national security information available at the time of inspection.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from political figures and advocacy groups. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani publicly rebuked the Trump administration’s plan to deploy a surge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the city during the tournament. Mamdani warned against sowing fear in immigrant communities, noting that six players on the US Men’s National Team are immigrants and that the sport relies heavily on immigrant labour.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) also condemned the decision. Edward Ahmed Mitchell, CAIR’s deputy director, argued that banning individuals based on nationality after they have undergone thorough vetting is an affront to American values and the law. Mitchell emphasised that Somali visitors are subject to the same vetting processes as other visitors, rendering nationality-based bans unjustified.
Somalia remains subject to US travel restrictions under the current administration. President Donald Trump has previously disparaged the African nation and its people, including comments made late last year regarding Somali immigrants in the US. The controversy adds to broader tensions surrounding the World Cup, including visa issues affecting Iran’s national team and concerns about federal agents targeting foreign nationals near stadiums.
FIFA, which awarded President Trump its inaugural peace prize last year, did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the denial. Artan had previously described his selection as an honour, noting the hardships faced by referees in Somalia, including the need to alter routes due to explosions in the country.
