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immigration interview before being denied entry to the United States for the World Cup despite holding the "right papers" and "right visa".** Artan, who was set to be the first Somali to referee
immigrants in the US “garbage”. Artan, one of Africa’s top referees, was set to become the first Somali to officiate a World Cup match. The denial of entry is the latest controversy surrounding
Somali referee Artan to miss World Cup after being barred from entering US **Omar Artan, who was set to be the first Somalian to referee at the World Cup finals, has been dropped from
Somali football referee [Omar Artan](/news/2026/6/8/us-confirms-denying-entry-to-somali-referee-set-to-take-part-in-world-cup), who was set to officiate in World Cup games, was denied entry into the country this week. “Human rights organisations and advocacy groups have repeatedly raised concerns regarding immigration
issues in the US have dampened some of the joy around the tournament, fans and activists say. Last week, US authorities denied entry to Somali referee Omar Artan, who was set to officiate some games
immigration was just "unfortunate". And there was a robust defence of US President Donald Trump, with Infantino claiming a World Cup in the US would be "impossible" without the 79-year-old. Nothing
referee in 2025. In Mogadishu, Artan criticised the decision to bar him entry to the US for the World Cup, saying that what had happened to him was “unfortunate”. The Trump administration said on Tuesday
Somali official to officiate at a World Cup. US authorities stopped him at Miami International Airport, citing unspecified “vetting concerns”, and FIFA later removed him from the referees’ roster. Artan told The New York Times