A Somali World Cup referee was barred from entering the United States, with customs agents citing “vetting concerns.”
Omar Artan, a referee for the FIFA World Cup, was turned back after landing at Miami from an Istanbul flight. U.S. Customs and Border Protection acknowledged his position in its statement.
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“During processing, the traveler underwent additional inspection, a routine part of CBP’s inspection process when officers need to verify information or determine admissibility. Following inspection, the traveler, a referee for the FIFA World Cup, was determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns and was denied entry,” the statement said.
FIFA announced that Artan would miss the World Cup as a result, saying it was “informed by authorities that Mr Artan’s status will not be changed at present.”
“Fifa is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications … in line with previous Fifa events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country,” it added.
Somalia, which has struggled to combat an Islamic insurgency and is currently split between at least four governing bodies, is among roughly 40 countries subject to visa bans or additional scrutiny under the Trump administration, and one of 12 subject to de facto travel bans in December.
Artan is the first referee traveling to the U.S. for the World Cup who was turned away, though other players and coaches have said they experienced some problems on arrival.
IRAN’S SOCCER TEAM LEAVES FOR WORLD CUP AS SOME OFFICIALS STILL AWAIT US VISAS
The status of players and officials from Iran, still at war with the U.S., has been a source of particular controversy.
The 2026 World Cup is being jointly hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and will begin on June 11 in Mexico City.
