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US Bars Somali Referee From 2026 World Cup
CBP said he was found inadmissible after additional screening, and FIFA removed him from its World Cup roster.
- On June 8, 2026, Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry into the United States upon arriving for the FIFA World Cup. Authorities refused admission and sent him back to Turkey.
- Somalia is one of several nations on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump. Despite Artan carrying a diplomatic passport issued in Nairobi, officials barred him at Miami International Airport.
- Artan is among the 52 referees selected by FIFA for the tournament after being named the 2025 CAF men's referee of the year. He has officiated at the African Cup of Nations and CAF Champions League.
- Senior advisor to Somalia's Ministry of Youth and Sports Ciise Aden Abshir criticized the move, saying "Denying him entry to the United States and preventing him from officiating scheduled matches harms not only him personally but also undermines football's commitment to fairness, merit, and the spirit of fair play." Artan remains in Istanbul.
- Visa controversies have impacted other World Cup participants, with the U.S. State Department denying entry to some Iranian support staff. Officials cited concerns about attempts to "abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the United States.
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Total News Sources410
Leaning Left76Leaning Right40Center98Last UpdatedBias Distribution46% Center
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources are Center
46% Center
L 35%
C 46%
R 19%
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