Somali referee Omar Artan has been denied entry to the United States ahead of the World Cup 2026, derailing his historic appointment as the first official from Somalia to referee at football's biggest tournament. Artan was stopped at Miami International Airport and redirected to Turkey, where he remains while awaiting further guidance.

No official explanation has emerged from US immigration authorities, though Somalia appears on the travel restrictions list implemented under President Donald Trump's administration. The ban affects several nations and has created complications for FIFA's officiating plans, with the tournament spanning Canada, Mexico and the US from June 12 to July 19.

Artan earned recognition as the 2025 Confederation of African Football men's referee of the year and joined FIFA's referee list in 2018. He has experience officiating at the African Cup of Nations, making him one of 52 officials selected for World Cup duties. His absence leaves FIFA scrambling to adjust their refereeing assignments.

This incident highlights ongoing tensions between international sporting events and restrictive immigration policies, potentially setting precedent for future tournaments hosted by countries with similar travel limitations. FIFA faces pressure to find alternative arrangements while maintaining officiating standards.