Somali referee Omar Artan, 34, was denied entry to the United States on Monday at Miami International Airport, preventing him from officiating at the World Cup. Artan was interrogated for 11 hours by US immigration authorities who rejected both his diplomatic passport and single-entry visa, citing alleged "association with suspected members of terror organisations."
Artan confirmed he was questioned over alleged links to Al Shabab but stated he knew nothing about the organisation. "I had the right papers and everything. I had the right visa," Artan said. "I'm just simply a referee who's trying to live his dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup." After being returned to Turkey with FIFA assistance, he was allowed to fly to Mogadishu, Somalia.
Despite his inability to participate in the tournament, FIFA has committed to paying Artan his full referee salary, determined and paid after the tournament concludes. Artan, the 2025 Confederation of African Football (CAF) men's referee of the year, was the first Somali to officiate a continental final, taking charge of the African Champions League final second leg in June 2025. He has been invited to officiate the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria on 12 August.