World Cup: I’ve right papers, visa — Referee Artan

Somali referee, Omar Abdulkadir Artan, says he was subjected to an 11-hour immigration interview before being denied entry to the United States for the World Cup despite holding the “right papers” and “right visa”.

“I’ve right papers, visa,” Artan said, summarising his position after being stopped at Miami International Airport and later barred from entering the country.

Artan, who was set to become the first Somali referee at a World Cup finals, was dropped from the list of officials on Monday following the decision.

No reason for his repatriation has been issued by US immigration authorities, though Somalia is among countries affected by a travel ban list introduced under President Donald Trump’s administration.

After discussions with US authorities, world governing body FIFA confirmed that Artan will miss the tournament.

“I am very, very disappointed. I’m just simply a referee who’s trying to live his dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup,” Artan told the New York Times.

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A FIFA statement read, “FIFA can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States.

“FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan’s status will not be changed at present.”

A senior adviser to Somalia’s ministry of youth and sports confirmed to the BBC that Artan travelled with valid documents.

A Somali embassy official in Nairobi also said his diplomatic passport was issued to ease earlier visa challenges.

Following the 11-hour immigration interview, Artan said he was taken to a holding cell where he was detained for several hours before being flown back to Istanbul, Turkey.

Referees’ chief Pierluigi Collina has established a training hub in Miami for the tournament’s 52 referees and 88 assistant referees, who must remain in camp for preparation and security.

In December, Trump told reporters he does not want Somali immigrants in the US, saying they should “go back to where they came from”.

“I think that they have a problem with my country,” Artan added.

The World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July.

Artan, who became a FIFA referee in 2018, has officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and in several international competitions.