US Denies Entry to Somali Referee Set to Officiate at World Cup
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed it denied entry to Somali referee Omar Artan, a FIFA-selected official for the 2026 World Cup, citing vetting concerns. Artan, who would have been the first Somali to officiate a World Cup match, arrived at Miami Airport with a valid visa but was turned away. The incident highlights ongoing tensions over U.S. visa policies and the Trump administration's travel ban affecting several nations.