US visa denial removes Somali referee from 2026 World Cup duties
Omar Artan, Africa’s top official, was deported 48 hours before the tournament began following an extended interrogation in Miami.
Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan has been removed from his officiating duties at the 2026 World Cup after being barred from entering the United States. The decision follows an 11-hour immigration interrogation in Miami, which resulted in Artan being placed on a flight back to Mogadishu just 48 hours before the tournament was scheduled to begin.
Artan, recognised as Africa’s top official and the first Somali to referee a continental final, was detained by customs and border patrol officials upon arrival. The incident highlights the operational tensions between US immigration enforcement and the logistical requirements of hosting a major international sporting event.
Alexander Cooley, Claire Tow Professor of Political Science at Barnard College, told FRANCE 24 that the incident illustrates a broader policy conflict. He stated that the Trump administration’s adherence to hard-line immigration laws clashes with the reality of what is required to stage a truly global event.
The exact legal grounds for the visa denial or entry bar were not specified in the available reports. However, the timing of the deportation, occurring less than two days before the opening matches, underscores the rigidity of the current immigration stance.
The original report on the incident was issued by FRANCE 24 on 09/06/2026. Artan’s removal marks a significant disruption for the tournament, with the US hosting the event under a new administration that has prioritised strict border controls.
