Somali referee Omar Artan, slated to become the first Somali official at a World Cup finals, was denied entry to the United States after an 11‑hour immigration interview at Miami International Airport. Officials said he held the correct visa and diplomatic passport, yet he was repatriated to Istanbul for his international career and the tournament.

The move follows a travel‑ban list introduced during President Donald Trump’s administration, which includes Somalia. FIFA confirmed Artan would miss the 2026 World Cup, noting that it has no control over U.S. immigration decisions. The decision rattles the tournament’s officiating roster and undermines efforts to diversify match officials across the global football community today and and.

Artan’s ordeal began with an 11‑hour interview, followed by hours in a holding cell before a return flight to Istanbul. He described the experience as a blow to his dream of officiating at football’s biggest stage. The incident adds to a growing list of logistical snags threatening the 2026 event for teams and fans globally.

FIFA’s chief Pierluigi Collina has set up a training hub in Miami for 52 referees and 88 assistants, all required to stay at the base for preparation and security. With Artan out, the pool shrinks, forcing the federation to scramble for replacements and test the resilience of its officiating infrastructure for the tournament ahead of.