U.S. Denies Entry to World Cup Referee, one of world's best, From Somalia [View all]

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https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/08/world/africa/somalian-world-cup-referee-denied-us-entry.html


Omar Artan was one of 52 referees selected for the FIFA World Cup. But on Saturday he was denied entry because of “vetting concerns,” U.S. officials said.

A World Cup referee from Somalia was denied entry into the United States days before the tournament is set to begin, U.S. border officials said on Monday, and will not participate.

The referee, Omar Artan, was one of 52 referees selected for this summer’s FIFA World Cup in North America. He is one of just seven African referees to be chosen for the tournament, and was named referee of the year in 2025 by the Confederation for African Football, which governs soccer in Africa.

Mr. Artan flew to Miami International Airport on Saturday, five days before the first game of the tournament on Thursday, but was prevented from entering the country, according to a statement from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

“The traveler underwent additional inspection, a routine part of C.B.P.’s inspection process when officers need to verify information or determine admissibility,” the statement said.