Omar Artan, a FIFA World Cup referee from Somalia, was denied entry to the United States just days before the tournament begins, U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed. Artan was among 52 referees selected for this summer's championship and had been honored as referee of the year by the Confederation for African Football in 2025.

The denial stems from "vetting concerns" during additional inspection at Miami International Airport, where Artan arrived five days before the opening match. U.S. border officials stated the decision was made on a case-by-case basis, though they did not specify the exact nature of security concerns that rendered him inadmissible.

This incident reflects broader tensions between the Trump administration and Somalia, which has faced severe travel restrictions. The policy follows Trump's characterization of Somali immigrants as "garbage" and comes despite ongoing Pentagon cooperation with Somalia on counterterrorism operations against Al Shabaab.

Artan's exclusion represents a significant setback for FIFA's diversity efforts and highlights how geopolitical conflicts can disrupt major sporting events. The World Cup organization now faces the challenge of maintaining its referee roster while navigating complex international relations that affect tournament operations.