FIFA confirmed that Omar Artan will miss the World Cup 2026 after US immigration officials denied him entry at Miami International Airport. The Somali referee was turned back despite believing he held valid documentation, forcing him to return to Istanbul where he had traveled from.

A FIFA spokesperson stated the organization has no involvement in host country visa processes, noting that US Customs and Border Protection determined Artan was 'inadmissible due to vetting concerns.' The incident occurred during additional inspection on Saturday, leaving the referee unable to train or officiate at the tournament.

Artan, who recently earned CAF's referee of the year honor for 2025, was poised to become the first Somali official at a World Cup. However, his travel plans unraveled because Somalia appears on the US travel ban list, creating complications for his visa application.

Somali sports ministry advisor Ciise Aden Abshir condemned the decision, telling AFP that denying Artan entry damages football's commitment to merit and fair play. The controversy raises questions about how international sports organizations navigate geopolitical restrictions when selecting officials for major tournaments.